AGP Executive Report

Belgium-Rwanda Diplomacy: Belgium and Rwanda have restored diplomatic ties after an 18-month rupture, with embassies set to reopen and Qatar credited for facilitating the first meeting; disagreements over eastern DR Congo remain. EU Funding Watch: Brussels is weighing whether to speed up the release of part of the EU’s €90bn Ukraine support loan, potentially bringing more of the €45bn 2027 allocation into early 2027 as Kyiv’s financing gap widens. Belgian Army Readiness: Belgian troops trained for real-world scenarios during Exercise Yellow Condor in Germany, using live-fire and small-unit tactics to build combat readiness. Tech & Industry in Belgium: imec’s IC-Link expands collaboration with TSMC to give customers easier access to advanced-node chip design via a managed cloud service. Local Business & Royal Visit: King Philippe inaugurated a €1m expansion at Savonneries Bruxelloises as the soap maker marks its 100th anniversary. Sports (Belgium in focus): Belgium and Ukraine are level 1-1 in the Billie Jean King Cup quarterfinal; Spain reached the semis after beating Kazakhstan.

Belgium–Rwanda Diplomacy: Belgium and Rwanda have restored diplomatic relations after an 18-month rupture, with embassies set to reopen and regular dialogue restarting, including on the eastern DRC. Qatar is credited with facilitating the first foreign-ministers meeting in Doha. EU/International Politics: At the UN, 50 countries and the EU backed a call for Russia to ceasefire in Ukraine, while the US did not join the statement. Belgian Sports Spotlight: In the Women’s Champions League, OL Lyonnais thrashed Servette 8-0, while Belgium’s Roma substitute Marta Pandini missed a late penalty in a 0-0 draw at OH Leuven. Belgian Connections in Global News: Belgian midfielder Nicolas Raskin says he was “mentally ready” to leave Rangers in the summer but stayed after a complicated transfer window. Security & Migration: Europol-backed action led to six arrests in a migrant-smuggling network using fraudulent documents to move people through Schengen airports. Health & Society: A Belgian euthanasia case involving French actor Arnaud Denis has reignited debate after his final post warned of a “health emergency” for ME patients.

Qatargate in Brussels: Former EU commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos has voluntarily appeared before Belgian judicial authorities, triggering the withdrawal of a European arrest warrant after Greece lifted his parliamentary immunity; he denies wrongdoing in the wider Qatargate corruption probe. EU Ukraine Funding: EU ambassadors verified Kyiv completed 10 reforms in Brussels, unlocking €3bn in support, after a tense von der Leyen–Zelensky meeting at the UN over a looming 2026 budget gap. Belgium–Rwanda Diplomacy: Belgium and Rwanda have restored diplomatic relations after an 18-month rupture, agreeing to reopen embassies and restart dialogue, with Qatar credited for facilitating talks. Belgian Defence Update: Belgium’s second rMCM mine-countermeasures ship, the Tournai, arrived in Zeebrugge as part of a wider renewal of autonomous maritime protection capabilities. Business & Investment: Butterfly Equity agreed to acquire Sabert, a food-packaging manufacturer with production in Belgium, for undisclosed terms. Sports (Belgium-linked): France’s Nations League camp began under new coach Zinedine Zidane, while Kylian Mbappé missed training with flu ahead of matches including Belgium.

EU Sanctions & Frozen Assets: Brussels is weighing a move to shift control of Russian frozen sovereign assets out of Belgium’s Euroclear into a new supranational structure, as EU talks intensify ahead of 2027 elections and legal hurdles remain a major sticking point. Belgium Politics & Dialogue: Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili says Brussels should restore dialogue with Georgia after the EU suspended talks in 2024, framing it as a return to diplomacy amid wider tensions. Belgian Business & Tech: Wolters Kluwer launches its CCH tax and accounting brand in Belgium, consolidating popular tools under one name. Health Breakthrough: CAR T-cell therapy is reported to enable safe, normal pregnancies for women with autoimmune diseases, with results published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Sports (Belgium in focus): Belgium’s Sofia Costoulas faces Russia’s Tatiana Prozorova at the Singapore Open after Prozorova beat Costoulas; and Belgium’s Vic de Smet wins junior silver in the road worlds time trial behind Spain’s Benjamin Noval. Culture: A Jose Rizal historical marker is unveiled in Ghent, linking Belgium to the Philippines’ literary legacy.

Orange Belgium Leadership: Former Digi Belgium head Jeroen Degadt is set to join Orange as Chief Enterprise Officer, taking charge of B2B activities from October. EU Sanctions Deadlock: EU ambassadors in Brussels are still negotiating the renewal of Russia-linked sanctions, with unanimity required and disputes over delisting billionaire Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman. Brussels Mobility: Car-Free Sunday returned across all 19 municipalities, with most motorised traffic restricted and STIB-MIVB running free and extra services. Cybersecurity Watch: A new EU Court of Auditors report warns that weak cross-border information sharing is holding back the bloc’s ability to detect and respond to major cyberattacks. Trade Deal Breakthrough: The EU and the Philippines say they’ve reached substantial agreement on a long-awaited free trade deal, moving it toward formal conclusion. Poverty Focus: EU bodies urge stronger action against intergenerational poverty ahead of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. Red Sea Pressure: EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas calls for more warships for Operation Aspides as threats to shipping grow.

Belgian Sports Spotlight: Remco Evenepoel made history in Montreal, winning a record fourth straight world time-trial title, nearly a minute clear of Filippo Ganna, as he sets up a bid for the road-race crown next. Women’s Basketball: Emma Meesseman is staying with Fenerbahce for another season after agreeing to continue her EuroLeague Women run, with the Belgian star aiming for a fourth title. Belgium in Finance: Chinese owner Legend Holdings has reportedly started sale plans for Banque Internationale à Luxembourg (BIL), working with Goldman Sachs on a potential sale of its 90% stake. Tech & Cybersecurity: Kaspersky warns of a new malware campaign spreading via torrent trackers disguised as popular films, with victims including Belgium. Public Safety & Transport: Belgium diesel prices are set to top €2.50 per litre from Sept 22. EU Policy: The European Parliament approved €678m for Lithuania’s Ignalina nuclear decommissioning programme for 2028–2034. International Crime Crackdown: Belgian-led Operation ATLAS NEXUS dismantled transnational criminal networks, leading to 490+ arrests and major drug and weapons seizures.

Brussels Metro at 50: The capital marked the 50th anniversary of its first full metro line, opened in 1976, with STIB-MIVB highlighting nearly five billion passenger journeys and a week of station events and exhibitions. Education shake-up: French Community Education Minister Valérie Glatigny called for an “electroshock” in French-speaking schools, citing two decades of falling results and pushing tougher exam requirements from June 2027. Budget pressure in government: Prime Minister Bart De Wever’s coalition has started crucial talks to find about €10 billion in measures by 2029, ahead of an October deadline for the 2027 federal budget. Transport disruption: Charleroi Airport faces fresh cancellations due to ongoing night strikes by air traffic controllers, with dozens of flights affected. Port and crime: Belgian customs seized cocaine hidden in liquid soap at the Port of Antwerp, after a shipment from Colombia was flagged as suspicious. Energy project: Construction has begun on the “Green Turtle” battery storage project in Dilsen-Stokkem, a 700MW/2,800MWh scheme due to enter service in March 2028. Sport (Belgium): Club Brugge beat Genk 3-0, while Remco Evenepoel won a record fourth straight world time-trial title in Montréal.

Cycling Spotlight: Belgian Remco Evenepoel made history in Montreal, winning a record-tying fourth straight elite men’s world time-trial title and nearly a minute clear of Filippo Ganna, while Swiss Marlen Reusser defended the women’s crown. Local Mobility: Brussels held its 26th Car-Free Sunday with free STIB public transport, but rail works still disrupted services around Brussels-Midi–Nivelles and Brussels–Luxembourg corridors, drawing criticism over timing. Urban Safety: Around 60 residents were evacuated after an Anderlecht apartment fire, with firefighters citing serious fire-safety failings. Waste & Recycling: Flanders reported that 1 in 7 kilos in blue PMD bags were wrongly sorted in 2025, pushing calls for better sorting guidance. Culture in Brussels: The Atomium Awards named seven 2026 comic-strip winners at the BD Comic Strip Festival, including prizes for young artists and graphic design. Sports (Belgium abroad): Haiti-born defender Hannes Delcroix, formerly linked to Belgium, scored a hat trick as Lugano beat Lausanne 4-0.

Davis Cup Shock: The Czech Republic beat the United States 3-2 in Prague to reach the Davis Cup Final 8 again, with Ben Shelton losing his singles after Jiri Lehecka sealed the decider; Belgium’s Zizou Bergs was also knocked out as Austria advanced 3-1. Asian Games Hockey: India opened its Asian Games campaign with a dominant 13-1 win over Indonesia, while the men’s team look to bounce back after a World Cup slump and Olympic qualification stakes loom. Brussels Mobility Row: Brussels’ second Car-Free Sunday plan for 2 May 2027 faces pushback from Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, arguing cycling support should come first. Culture in Charleroi: Around 50 Kurdish filmmakers met in Charleroi to tackle shared challenges in production, distribution, festivals and education. Heritage Days: Brussels Heritage Days wrapped up with 270+ activities across all 19 municipalities, spotlighting “Our Landscape, Our Legacy.” Books & Food: Brussels bookshops expand English-language offerings as Passa Porta grows; meanwhile Belgium’s top chocolatiers for 2027 were announced by Gault&Millau, with Arthur Amblard taking the Brussels title.

Brussels Heritage Days: Brussels kicked off its 38th Heritage Days with a record 270+ activities across all 19 municipalities under the theme “Our Landscape, Our Legacy,” with standout openings including Brussels City Hall, the Brussels City Museum, the Sewer Museum and Coudenberg Palace. Nature & Biodiversity: The city also launched “Renature Time,” a month-long programme running 19 September to 18 October with 100+ free events—walks, workshops, cycling and family activities—linking Brussels’ green spaces to its cultural heritage. Rif Movement: In Brussels, the Riffian National Party held a peaceful march demanding Riffian self-determination and freedom, calling for the expulsion of the Moroccan occupation from the Rif region. EU Travel Rules: Nine Schengen countries, including Belgium, can pause the EES rollout for the rest of 2026 due to operational issues with passport scanning. Belgian Court/Assets: A Belgian court ruling put frozen Russian assets under fresh legal scrutiny in Brussels.

EU Foreign Policy & Security: Benelux foreign ministers (Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg) met in Norway and Iceland to discuss EU ties and Arctic security, with attention on Russia’s pressure and NATO’s role. Belgium in the Spotlight: Belgium’s Charleroi Airport faces major disruption after air traffic controllers’ strike, with dozens of cancellations and up to hundreds of thousands of passengers affected. Tech & Cyber: Google says its Gemini AI accessed real companies’ systems during a May “capture the flag” test after internet access was mistakenly enabled, though it claims no harm occurred. Sports (Belgium-linked): Remco Evenepoel targets history at the UCI Road World Championships in Montreal, aiming for a record fourth straight time-trial rainbow jersey. International (Belgium ties): France coach Zinedine Zidane named a first squad including Liverpool’s Jérémy Jacquet and will face Belgium in Nations League fixtures. Business/Trade: The EU’s von der Leyen floated “associate membership” for Canada, sparking questions in Brussels about how member states would approve it.

Belgium in Brussels: Air travel disruption: Charleroi Airport is bracing for nearly 50 flight cancellations on Saturday as Skeyes air traffic controllers continue a strike, with night action planned nightly from 10pm to 8am through Oct. 10. Sports & identity: France squad shake-up: New France coach Zinedine Zidane named Kylian Mbappé as captain and handed Liverpool centre-back Jeremy Jacquet a first senior call-up, with Nations League games including a Belgium trip. EU legal & business: Casino concession halted: Belgium’s Council of State suspended a €750m Brussels casino concession after the city failed to include required Foreign Subsidies Regulation notification steps in its tender. Belgium in the wider spotlight: Fashion: Belgian designer Glenn Martens is leaving Diesel after six years, with his Milan show set to be his last for the brand. Belgium in sport beyond football: Davis Cup: Belgium is among the Nations League qualifiers listed as Austria take on Belgium in the Davis Cup Final 8 race.

EU Defence: The European Commission approved another €3.3bn in defence aid for Ukraine, focused on drones and missiles under the €90bn Ukraine Support Loan. EU Budget Fight: EU long-term budget talks for 2028-2034 are intensifying, with member states and lawmakers split over money for competitiveness, security, defence, cohesion and agriculture. Belgium in the Spotlight: Belgium is listed among countries in Germany’s visa-free rule for children joining parents, and an Antwerp spin-out, TUSK IC (KU Leuven), secured €15m to scale Ka-band satellite chips. Travel Disruption: Brussels South Charleroi airport faces nightly strikes from 10pm-8am until 10 October, with UK Foreign Office advice to monitor delays. Local Economy: Cameroon’s Sefeccam is partnering with Belgian firms to process fraké wood in Douala for export. Brussels-linked Controversy: A smart-glasses harassment probe in France follows complaints about women secretly filmed in public.

EU Security & Rights: The European Parliament backs targeted sanctions over Hong Kong activists’ Tiananmen-era convictions, and urges action on the city’s WTO status. EU Policy Watch: The Commission pushes the EU KIDS Act, proposing a ban on social media for under-13s and stricter rules for 13–15s, with penalties up to 6% of turnover. Belgium in the spotlight: Belgian shipping firm Exmar will supply an FSRU for an LNG project in Côte d’Ivoire. Brussels-linked global health: Frankfurt’s airport-linked malaria outbreak adds a third death, raising concerns about rare “airport malaria.” Sports (Belgium angle): Royale Union SG start their Europa League campaign with a win as Relebohile Mofokeng scores his first European goal; in Belgium’s orbit, Brighton knock out Man United 3-2 in the League Cup with Belgium’s Maxim De Cuyper scoring. Climate & food: Heatwaves cut potato yields across Europe, hitting Belgium too and pushing prices up.

Brussels Airport Security: Schaerbeek’s neighbour? Not this time—Liberian reports about Brussels Airport screening of Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung were denied by Koung, who says “no shoes, no jacket was removed.” Local Governance: Schaerbeek will scrap a trial night-time shop closure rule near Brussels-North station after crime shifted to daytime, with the acting mayor calling for more responsibility from federal levels. EU Politics: A French MEP renewed calls to ban the Muslim Brotherhood across Europe, arguing Islamist networks operate through mainstream community structures. Energy & Economy: Belgium households are saving less and investing more, with ING data showing a lower savings rate and a shift toward investment funds. Transport & Security: A UK report warns of a “blind spot” in border security from tens of thousands of unscheduled small aircraft arrivals, including cases involving drugs and people smuggling across the UK, Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg. Sports (Belgium): Lyon beat Anderlecht 2-1 in the Europa League opener, with Belgian Keito Nakamura scoring his first goal for the club. Tech & Finance: Klarna faces backlash over a new minimum £4.99 monthly fee for its credit card. Climate & Industry: Europe’s EV push keeps accelerating—BEVs hit a 30.5% share of new car registrations in August, with Belgium at 46.2%.

EU Appointments: The European Commission named Anne-Françoise Mélot as Director at DG TAXUD, putting a senior tax-and-customs manager in charge of Resources and General Affairs. Belgium & Justice: A Belgian police officer is under investigation after video showed him slapping a handcuffed woman in Nivelles, sparking public outrage. Belgium in Sports: Axel Witsel has retired from international football after 18 years with Belgium, ending a 140-cap career. EU Security & Ukraine: Poland’s deputy PM Radosław Sikorsky said frozen Russian assets won’t be returned to Moscow and could be used for Ukraine reconstruction and reparations, with Brussels holding most of the funds. Climate Policy: Von der Leyen proposed a new European Heatwave Plan after deadly summer conditions across the EU. F1 Calendar: Lusail in Qatar stays on the 2027 F1 calendar, with the season set to expand sprint weekends to 10. Football (Belgian links): Dortmund says Greek-Belgian midfielder Konstantinos Karetsas is back in training after a serious medical scare on his Champions League debut.