June 16-23rd, 2018, Communication Institute Dean Assoc. Prof. Virgis Valentinavičius, visited Israel and took part in a series of discussions and events focused on European Union – Israel relations. On June 18th, he was a witness to the first direct meeting of EU Ambassador to Israel Emanuele Giaufret, and the Ambassador of Israel to EU Aharon Leshno-Yaar. European Commission Deputy Secretary General, at the European External Action Service, Jean-Christophe Belliard was also present. The progress and challenges of the EU-Israel relations were further discussed during the Conference of the 20st Anniversary of the Department of Politics and Government of the BGU and during the Conference of the Young Scholars of European Studies. One of the key points of the Young Scholars Conference was the presentation of the results of the joint Lithuania -New Zealand – Israel C3EU research project that examines EU-Israel communication and mutual perception. Later, the C3EU project was presented at the residence of the EU Ambassador to Israel in Herzeliya, Tel Aviv. Lithuania's Ambassador to Israel Edminas Bagdonas also attended. It is widely believed that The Department of Politics and Government of the BGU, headed by Prof. Sharon Pardo, is a major center for European Studies in Israel.