EC Briefing — Thursday, 11 June 2026

Key Points

• Eurogroup meeting today will address macroeconomic developments and energy security in Europe.
• Commissioners Dombrovskis and Albuquerque represent the Commission at the Eurogroup meeting.
• EU emphasizes the importance of results-driven dialogue with China amid recent meeting cancellations.
• The case of Mikhail Lashinsky is under Belgian authorities; EU refrains from commenting on individual cases.
• EU is aware of Russia's human rights violations and continues to monitor the situation closely.
• Questions regarding alumina exports to Russia will be directed to the relevant Irish authorities.

Full Transcript

Transcribed automatically from EbS (Europe by Satellite) · English audio track · AI-generated · May contain errors · Verify before quoting

Opening Statement

Good afternoon and welcome to our midday briefing.

Thank you for being so patient. We have two brief announcements for you today and then we can move on to take your questions. To begin with then, the Eurogroup meeting is taking place today in Luxembourg. Commissioners Dombrovskis and Albuquerque will be representing the Commission at the meeting. Among the items on the agenda are the macroeconomic developments in the Euro area as well as the International Monetary Fund review of Euro area policies. This afternoon, Ministers will also discuss structural challenges and policy priorities related to strengthening the energy security and economic resilience of Europe. I'm just having some problems here with the technology. So, Commissioner Dombrovskis will take part in the press conference following the meeting which is expected to take place at around 7 p.m. As is customary, we would invite you to ask your questions pertaining to that meeting at that dedicated press conference. Now, let me welcome a group of Hungarian journalists joining us today.

EU-China dialogue status

Q (Financial Times): Hi, it's a pleasure to host you in our press room and to share with you some of our daily work. Wish you a very good time with us in Brussels and maybe also with your colleagues here accredited in our city and in Belgium. Now, that's it for our announcements and we can start with your questions. Andy. Yeah, Andy Bounds from the Financial Times. We reported today that China's cancelled two dialogue meetings with the EU. We know that China is asking for a high-level trade and investment dialogue. Is that a good idea, do you think? And can you say when these two cancelled meetings will happen? Thanks.

Spokesperson: Thank you, Andy. Listen, as we've said so many times in this press room, we attach importance to engaging with China, to having a dialogue with China. Our president repeated it as recently as last week, also at the press conference in Montenegro, but also added that the dialogue needs to deliver. And that's precisely what we're working on. And testimony to that is a meeting which took place at technical level just this week on trade matters. And other meetings will follow. I don't have concrete dates or slots for the meetings you mentioned, but that's the approach. Go ahead.

Q: So you said the dialogue needs to have results. Can you tell us what the results were of the meeting between Dittil Jorgensen and Minister Li, Vice Minister Li, that you mentioned?

Spokesperson: On this meeting, looking at the team to see if we have more information on the outcome of that meeting that can be shared. Olive, thank you. Thank you for your question, Andy. As you're very well aware, we published on the DG Trade social media channels a very succinct readout of the meeting you mentioned. That is our line. That will remain our line. As Paola has said, we are continuing engagement with China at multiple levels. Dialogue must deliver, and that is our priority. Thank you. Now that we have Olive with us, any questions on trade? No, trade is quiet today. Okay, good, Olive. Other topics? Yes, please.

Russian citizen detention case

Q (TVP Votak): Thank you, Valentina Vasilyeva, TVP Votak. My question is for Anita, I guess. This is about Russian-Belgian citizen Mikhail Lashinsky, who was detained in Russia when he went from Germany to Russia to visit his sick father last summer. This summer, 2nd of June, he was sentenced to 16 years in jail because of state treason. Why he was sentenced? Because according to Russian authorities, he sent some money to his Ukrainian ex-girlfriend. So what European Union can do about that? What European Commission can do about that? Any diplomatic efforts that can be done since he's Belgian citizen? And do you actually consider any push for any other political exchanges? Maybe in this case it can help. Thank you.

Spokesperson: Thank you very much. So this is under the remit of the Belgian authorities, and this is a specific case, so we will not be able to comment on this. But of course it is a well-documented fact that Russia is cracking down on all voices, on human rights in particular. So the authorities rule to blatant intimidation and disregard for any rule of law. It's well documented, we are well aware of this, and for now this is where we are. Thank you, Anita. Other questions on foreign affairs? Yes.

Irish alumina export issue

Q (Public Broadcaster of Ukraine): Valeria Pashko, Public Broadcaster of Ukraine. Kayakalas HRP just was traveling to Ireland, and one of the topics was the Irish plant which produces alumina and exports this alumina to Russia. There was a huge scandal around the EU. So my question is, has HRP gotten any answers from Irish authorities on how they are going to address this issue, especially right before the upcoming presidency of the EU? Thank you.

Spokesperson: Thank you. And this will be a question actually for Siobhan. So if we do not have other questions for Anita. Yes, Vitaly, still one for Anita, and then we get back to your own alumina.

EU ambassadors meeting with Russia

Q: Russian sources reported that allegedly several ambassadors of EU countries, and not EU, Germany, France, and Great Britain, they had a meeting with representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia today. Do you know something about this?

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