This week, football fans across Europe are once again turning their eyes toward Central Asia, as FC Qairat Almaty — the reigning champions of Kazakhstan — take on RSC Anderlecht in the play-off round of the UEFA Europa League qualifying path.
Brussels — The Embassy of Pakistan turned Place Agora, at the foot of the Grand Place, into a one-day showcase of Pakistani culture, food and music, drawing families, local residents and cultural enthusiasts into the heart of the Belgian capital.
Muhammad Ali Pasha, an international award-winning author, received the certificate at a ceremony in Islamabad, underscoring cultural and diplomatic ties between Azerbaijan and Pakistan.
The championship includes a World Beauty Championship for young horses, a Best Decorated Horse Competition, and an awards ceremony honoring artists and breeders, culminating in a gala dinner.
The 10th anniversary of the July 15 failed coup attempt was marked by a panel discussion in Brussels, hosted at the heart of European institutions organised by the Turkish embassy in Brussels. The event served as a solemn remembrance of the lives lost and a critical analysis of the event's profound impact on Türkiye’s democratic landscape.
The discussion, moderated by Şeyda Bilen of the Turkish Embassy in Brussels, featured prominent voices including Ambassador G. Barış Tantekin, Professor Dr. Murat Yeşiltaş, Dr. Ravza Kavakçı Kan, and Associate Professor Dr. Murat Aslan.
Uzbekistan’s Embassy to the Benelux and the Association of Uzbek Women in the Benelux hosted a cultural event in Eindhoven celebrating the country’s heritage, reforms and tourism potential. The programme featured the Zakovat quiz, an exhibition, youth awards and activities promoting cultural diplomacy.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev outlined Kazakhstan's vision to become a global investment hub through AI, digital transformation, critical minerals, logistics, and smart agriculture. He highlighted new incentives, the Altyn Visa program, data centers, and digital infrastructure to attract foreign investors.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aqiliddin Alimov, Energy Security Expert at Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies and Chair of the EUREFLECT Academic Board, completed his postdoctoral research on Japan’s energy diplomacy, analyzing East Asia’s geoeconomic transformation and its impact on regional energy security.
Brussels, 30 June 2026:
Pakistan today reiterated that water must never be used as a tool of political pressure and emphasized that the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) remains a vital instrument of regional peace, cooperation, and stability.
The Third International Maqom Art Forum took place in Namangan, Uzbekistan,
bringing together distinguished musicians, scholars, government officials, and
cultural representatives from around the world to celebrate one of the richest
traditions of Eastern classical music.
The opening ceremony, held on June 23, was attended by President Shavkat
Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan. Welcoming forum participants, foreign guests, and
representatives of the cultural and artistic community, the President emphasized that
maqom is far more than a musical tradition—it is a spiritual bridge that unites
people’s hearts and promotes peace, dialogue, and mutual understanding.
The Connectivity Agenda Platform was launched in Brussels as a new interregional framework aimed at strengthening transport, energy, digital and trade links between Europe and Central Asia through the Caspian Sea, the South Caucasus and the Black Sea regions. The Platform seeks to combine infrastructure development with regulatory alignment, interoperability, market integration and coordinated governance, while supporting the transition from political commitments to concrete, bankable projects. Turkmenistan was represented at the event by Ambassador Sapar Palvanov, who took part in discussions on the role of regional connectivity and the development of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor.
At the Angola Investment Summit 2026, Tourism Minister Márcio Daniel told EUReflect that Angola aims to raise its international profile and attract new investment. Through global partnerships and sustainable development, the country seeks to position itself as Africa’s next emerging tourism destination.
Angola’s President outlined a vision that goes beyond tourism, positioning the country as an emerging business and investment hub in Africa. Infrastructure projects, economic diversification, and regional integration are expected to drive Angola’s transformation into one of the continent’s new growth centers.
