When Taiwan’s STARLUX Airlines begins flying to Europe on August 1, 2026, its first European destination will not be London, Paris or Frankfurt, but Prague. At first glance, choosing a smaller capital over Europe’s traditional aviation gateways looks like a curious commercial bet. Viewed against a decade of warming relations between Czechia and Taiwan, however,… Continue reading Boarding pass to Prague: What a private airline’s route map reveals about ties between Czechia and Taiwan
Mapping academic ties between Central Europe and Southeast Asia reveals growing, though uneven, links across the region. Key takeaways: Since 1989, research interest in Southeast Asia has expanded from philology and languages, religious studies, and ethnography to virtually all other academic disciplines. Despite growing interest in the region, there is still no dedicated institute for… Continue reading Academic relations between Central Europe and Southeast Asia: Rising mutual interest
Key takeaways: In May 2026, ASEAN concluded negotiations on the Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), with expected signing in November 2026 during the ASEAN Summit. As ASEAN’s digital economy is expected to grow from less than US$400 billion in 2022 to US$2 trillion by 2030, the DEFA will reshape the conditions under which European firms… Continue reading Preparing for DEFA: A European strategy for ASEAN’s digital market
Key takeaways: ASEAN should be a priority partner for the EU in establishing a “strategic partnership on semiconductors” as envisioned by the proposed Chips Act 2.0. The EU and ASEAN should focus on high-value-added investment, mutually beneficial R&D partnerships, cooperation on certification, development of raw materials projects, and workforce development to build synergies in semiconductor… Continue reading Chips that connect: EU–ASEAN cooperation in a fragmented world
