EU News Radio

McGrath praises Budapest Pride attendees

Ireland’s EU Commissioner Michael McGrath says the Commission is analysing Hungary’s new laws relating to freedom of assembly and the use of facial recognition software for potential prosecutions.

Tens of thousands of people turned out for Budapest Pride last month despite an attempt to ban such gatherings by the country’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Speaking today in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Mr McGrath praised those who turned up for the event in the Hungarian capital. 

Dur: 00:28

Mercosur beef won’t “destroy” EU agriculture - EU Costa

The President of the European Council says the EU-Mercosur trade deal will not destroy European agriculture. Speaking in the European Parliament this morning, President António COSTA urged EU countries to “move forward and sign” the Mercosur deal by the end of the year. 

Last December a political agreement was reached between the EU and the founding members of Mercosur (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay). But the deal still needs to be ratified by EU member countries including Ireland which is concerned about its potential impact on Irish agriculture and the environment. 

This morning President COSTA told MEPs, the EU should focus on the “long-term benefits” of the deal for Europe. 

Dur: 00:57

EU “working closely with US” for trade deal - VDL

EU boss Ursula von der Leyen says the EU is “working closely with the US administration” to reach a trade deal between the bloc and the United States. 

President von der Leyen was speaking in the European Parliament this morning. She told MEPs she had a good exchange with US President Donald Trump earlier this week to “help move things forward”.

Dur: 00:19

 

EU “ready for a deal” with US but preparing for “no satisfactory” agreement - Von der Leyen

EU Chief Ursula von der Leyen says the EU is aiming to strike a trade agreement "in principle” with the US by the 9th of July. That’s the date the US is threatening to impose full on tariffs on EU imports. European Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic is currently in Washington for talks with his US counterparts. 

President von der Leyen was speaking in the Danish city of Aarhus, to mark the start of the Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Dur: 00:34

New EU Climate target for “economic, security & geopolitical” reasons - EU

 A new EU climate emissions target is needed to ensure Europe stays “the course on climate”. That’s according to the European Commission which today proposed a 2040 EU climate target of 90% reduction in net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, compared to 1990 levels. It wants that target to be included in the European Climate Law which came into force in July 2021.

That law commits the EU to become climate neutral by 2050 and to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by at least fifty five percent (55%) by 2030, compared to 1990 levels. Speaking today in Brussels, European Commissioner Wopke HOEKSTRA said the new target makes sense for many reasons.    

Dur: 00:28

EU sets new 2040 climate target

The European Commission is proposing a new 2040 net greenhouse gas reduction target of ninety percent (90%) compared to 1990 levels. And it wants that target to be included in the European Climate Law which came into force in July 2021.

That law commits the EU to become climate neutral by 2050 and to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by at least fifty five percent (55%) by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. Speaking today in Brussels, European Commissioner Wopke HOEKSTRA said the new target makes sense from an economic, security and geopolitical perspective.   

Out words: climate change

Dur: 00:12

von der Leyen urges Pride go-ahead in Hungary

Ursula von der Leyen has urged Hungary to allow Budapest Pride to go ahead on Saturday. Prime Minister Viktor Orban passed a law banning pride marches earlier this year. It is his latest attempt to tighten restrictions on the LGBT community. Politicians from across Europe have promised to attend Pride as an act of solidarity. The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said Hungary should allow Pride to go ahead and must not try to punish the organisers nor the participants.

 

Out words: European Union

Dur: 0’19”

EU fears Iran escalation

There is a “huge” risk of the situation in Iran escalating, the EU’s foreign affairs chief has warned. It comes after the US bombed suspected nuclear sites in Iran over the weekend. EU foreign ministers are meeting in Brussels to discuss this and other pressing international affairs. The EU’s Hugh Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, says she is open to more talks with Iran to try to calm the situation down.

 

Out words: Diplomatic solution

Dur: 0’24”

Israel EU breach must have consequences - Harris

Israel has breached its EU trade deal in its war in Gaza, Simon Harris says. The review of that agreement, which was ordered by EU foreign ministers has not been published, but a leak over the weekend suggested that the European Union had concluded that the way Israel is conducting its war in Gaza was in breach of Article 2 - the human rights clause - of the EU-Israel trade agreement. EU foreign ministers are meeting in Brussels to discuss what should happen next. Simon Harris said it was essential that the EU proved the human rights clause wasn’t just words and actually takes action against Israel.

 

Out words: Seeing in Gaza

Dur: 0’44”

Kallas hits back at Irish politicians over Ukraine

The EU’s foreign affairs chief has hit back at Irish politicians demanding the war in Ukraine is stopped. Kaja Kallas told the European Parliament that the end of the Second World War brought peace, but for eastern Europe it also brought repression by the Soviet Union. The former Estonian Prime Minister said that with Russia continuing to attack Ukraine, it was clear Putin cannot be trusted and Europe needs to build up its military to be able to defend itself against possible attack.

 

Out words: Suffering will stop

Dur: 0’43”