What started as a routine business trip to Congo (DRC) turned into a 12 day nightmare of detention by the DRC intelligence services and interrogation for 2 international businessmen. From the safety and comfort of Abu Dhabi after being released from detention, Paolo Persico and Alexander Zingman spoke to me of their ordeal. They were…
Interview with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the Benelux Countries, Dilyor Khakimov, on the development of the relations between Europe and Uzbekistan in the course of deepening reforms in Uzbekistan. Q: It has been 3.5 years since you started your career as Ambassador to the Benelux countries. How have…
The European Parliament has set up a new Special Committee on Cancer, one of several new committees being launched by the institution. To mark the occasion, the World Vapers’ Alliance (WVA), a pro-vaping advocacy group based in Brussels, has launched a campaign calling on the EU institutions to endorse vaping in the EU Cancer Plan…
Interview with Jean-Pierre Martin, General manager Emirates Belgium and Luxemburg Q: Can you spell out the impact of the pandemic on your airline-business? A: On 25 March, Emirates temporarily suspended all passenger flights as directed by our regulator the UAE GCAA. That hit us hard and we regret the impact on our customers, but Emirates fully supports Dubai and the UAE’s…
Martin Banks interviews Olivier Védrine Chief Editor of the Russian Monitor about Russian President Vladimir Putin. He also speaks about the case of Alexei Anatolievich Navalny, a Russian politician and anti-corruption activist who came to international prominence by organising demonstrations, and running for office, to advocate reforms against corruption in Russia, Russian President Putin, and…
Interview with Gary Cartwright by Nikolas Wilson, Correspondent
The central bank of Lebanon’s Governor, Riad Salameh, gave an exclusive interview to leading French publication Paris Match, in which he explained that the central bank is not the cause of the problems that Lebanon is facing and that the country is better able to tackle its challenges thanks to the actions that the bank has taken….
I met with Philippe Bresson to explore his experience of investing in Eastern Europe. Philippe manages the BEE Family Office, formerly BRICOSTORE Holding, a 160-year-old family-owned holding company that manages a variety of assets and holdings in various business sectors. It was originally focused on the retail sector in France and internationally. In the late…
Interview with Dr Vladimir Krulj, Economic Fellow of the Institute of Economic Affairs, London. The next six months will be essential for both the European Union and the countries of the Western Balkans aspiring to join the EU, according to European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen. She was speaking in Zagreb at the start…
