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Malaysian Flavours Meet Belgian Kitchens in Brussels

EUReflect News

Interview · Face To Face Interviews

Business Diplomat: Partnerships, Not Personalities

A platform that lasts builds institutional partnerships, stays politically neutral and measures its worth in results, says Aigerim Akhtursunova, not in the names it can bring to the stage. Interviewed by: Asst. Prof. İsmail Polat Interviewee: Aigerim Akhtursunova, Head of the Turan Special Economic Zone, Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Botakoz Unbayeva

Interview · Face To Face Interviews

Business Diplomat: Practice Over Theory

Protocol and negotiation are practical skills, says Aigerim Akhtursunova. Young professionals need simulations, mentorship and real cases, and the experience they gain abroad should come home with them. Interviewed by: Botakoz Unbayeva Interviewee: Aigerim Akhtursunova, Head of the Turan Special Economic Zone, Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Botakoz Unbayeva

Interview · Face To Face Interviews

Business Diplomat: Think Before You Publish

The first professional impression is now digital, says Aigerim Akhtursunova. Response time, tone and a single post can shape relationships, so online etiquette and reputation belong in business diplomacy training. Interviewed by: Botakoz Unbayeva Interviewee: Aigerim Akhtursunova, Head of the Turan Special Economic Zone, Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Botakoz Unbayeva

Interview · Face To Face Interviews

Business Diplomat: Rules That Bend

Respect, punctuality, confidentiality and cultural awareness can be taught, says Aigerim Akhtursunova, but they must not harden into rigid rules. The skill is adapting while staying professional. Interviewed by: Botagoz Unbayeva Interviewee: Aigerim Akhtursunova, Head of the Turan Special Economic Zone, Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Botakoz Unbayeva

Interview · Face To Face Interviews

Business Diplomat: Trust Into Results

Negotiations, concluded deals and mutual benefit: Aigerim Akhtursunova sees the business diplomat as the person who turns communication into exports, investment and partnerships that outlast any single deal. Interviewed by: Botagöz Unbayeva Interviewee: Aigerim Akhtursunova, Head of the Turan Special Economic Zone, Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Botakoz Unbayeva

Interview · Face To Face Interviews

Business Diplomat: Respect Builds Trust

Proper protocol shows respect for partners and their culture, says Nazgul Zholdosh. Respect builds trust, trust improves negotiations, and stronger relationships open strategic cooperation. Interviewed by: Asst. Prof. İsmail Polat Interviewee: Nazgul Zholdosh, Founder of the Kyrgyz Youth Parliament

İsmail Polat

Interview · Face To Face Interviews

Business Diplomat: Protocol as Risk Control

Knowing diplomatic rules reduces the risk of conflict, misunderstanding and reputational mistakes, says Nazgul Zholdosh, and helps businesspeople communicate effectively with foreign partners. Interviewed by: Asst. Prof. İsmail Polat Interviewee: Nazgul Zholdosh, Founder of the Kyrgyz Youth Parliament

İsmail Polat

Interview · Face To Face Interviews

Business Diplomat: Represent and Resolve

Representing a company’s interests, building strategic relationships and finding mutually beneficial solutions are the three tasks of a business diplomat, says Nazgul Zholdosh. Interviewed by: Asst. Prof. İsmail Polat Interviewee: Nazgul Zholdosh, Founder of the Kyrgyz Youth Parliament

İsmail Polat

Interview · Face To Face Interviews

Business Diplomat: Four Qualities

Strategic thinking, tact, intercultural competence and communication skills define a business diplomat, says Nazgul Zholdosh. Interviewed by: Asst. Prof. İsmail Polat Interviewee: Nazgul Zholdosh, Founder of the Kyrgyz Youth Parliament

İsmail Polat

Politics · International Relations

Tokayev’s Russia Proposal: What Are the Implications for EU–OTS Relations?

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s proposal to involve Russia in the Organization of Turkic States through the OTS+ framework or observer status raises an important question: can an organisation seeking wider international influence accommodate Moscow without complicating its members’ relations with Europe? The proposal, presented at the Ankara summit on 30 October, concerns possible participation, not an already approved Russian status.

Derya Soysal

Politics · International Relations

APEC’s Opening for China-US Cooperation

APEC in Shenzhen gives Beijing and Washington a venue to test whether shared interest in predictability can outlast the next tariff dispute, with supply chains across Asia watching for signals.

Muhammad Asif Noor

Politics · International Relations

13th Summit of Turkic States Opens in Ankara

ANKARA – The 13th Summit of the Heads of State of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) opened in Ankara on Friday under the theme “Turkic Century: Unity in Language, Thought and Deed.”

Derya Soysal

Politics · International Relations

Why Is Central Asia Attracting Growing Global Interest?

Central Asia’s growing economic potential, relative stability and strategic transport links are attracting major powers, while its countries balance competing interests through a multi-vector foreign policy. This article is based on a speech by Qodir Djurayev, Professor at the University of World Economy and Diplomacy in Tashkent.

EUReflect News

Travel · Travel Diplomacy

Bulut Bağcı: "We Reaffirm Our Confidence in Brussels and Belgium"

Global Tourism Forum President and Visit Brussels Ambassador Bulut Bağcı attended an exclusive gathering at the Warwick Brussels Hotel, where he met with former Visit Brussels Ambassadors to exchange views on the city’s growing international profile, its role as a global hub for tourism and business events, and opportunities for future collaboration.

EUReflect News

Travel · Culture Heritage

Malaysia: Culture, Quality and Value

With Visit Malaysia 2026 approaching, the country is leveraging its multicultural heritage and cost advantages to attract European travellers seeking value without compromising on experience.

Botakoz Unbayeva