Praise when group of countries has record year (6)
I believe the answer is:
eulogy
'praise' is the definition.
(eulogy is a kind of praise)
'group of countries has record year' is the wordplay.
'group of countries' becomes 'eu'.
'has' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'record' becomes 'log' (logging is a kind of recording).
'year' becomes 'y'.
'eu'+'log'+'y'='EULOGY'
'when' is the link.
(Other definitions for eulogy that I've seen before include "Expression of high praise" , "'Encomium, paean (6)'" , "Speech of high praise" , "Funeral speech" , "Panegyric" .)