EU News Radio

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”

EU defence spending to boost wider economy

A massive increase in EU defence spending will benefit the wider economy and tech sector – that’s according to the European Commission. The EU has proposed harnessing up to €800 billion to boost defence spending and prepare for a more uncertain world. Military experts warn that Russia could be ready to attack the European Union within three to five years. Now the EU wants to speed up that spending by reducing red tape. Ireland has committed €100 million extra to defence this year, but still spends by far the lowest amount on defence in Europe. European Economy Commissioner, Valdis Dombrovskis, says spending more is necessary to protect Europeans, but there will be benefits to the wider economy too.

 

Out words: Future competitiveness

Dur: 0’22”

EU-US deep in negotiations says von der Leyen

The EU and US are "deep" in negotiations over trade tariffs, says Ursula von der Leyen following a phone call with President Trump. The two are due to take part in a G7 summit in Canada later. That meeting is overshadowed by events in the Middle East, Ukraine and the economic fallout of Trump tariffs. With just three weeks before the US tariff pause is due to expire, the President of the European Commission said detail negotiations are underway.

 

Out words: Detailed negotiations

Dur: 0’23”

EU defence strategy “bumpy road” – EU

EU plans to significantly increase the bloc’s defence and security capabilities by the end of the decade were outlined today in Dublin. The European Commission presented its White Paper on European Defence Readiness for 2030.

The Paper is recommending a range of actions from massive hikes on defence spending to preparing Europe for worst-case scenarios. They include being able to rapidly deploy military troops and equipment across the bloc. Speaking today in Dublin, the European Commission’s Guillaume de la Brosse said investing in defence means “investing in peace”. But he said, it won't be an easy journey.

Dur: 00:20

EU needs “to step up” Security and Defence by 2030

The EU needs to “step up” its security and defence capabilities to ensure it can protect European citizens in the years ahead. That was the warning from Guillaume de la Brosse from the European Commission’s Defence Industry and Space Department.

He was speaking today at the Institute of International and European Affairs (IIEA) in Dublin during a discussion on the EU’s White Paper on Defence Readiness for 2030. The Paper recommends a range of actions to strengthen European defence capabilities by the end of the decade.

Out words: upcoming years

Dur: 00:15

Extension of Temp Protection for Ukrainian refugees – EU

The European Commission is proposing to extend the temporary protection of Ukrainian refugees who fled to Europe as a result of Russia’s war against Ukraine. The current temporary protection rules are due to expire in March next year. But the Commission wants to extend that protection until March 2027.

Over 4.3 million displaced people from Ukraine have found safety and shelter across the EU since the war began in 2022. Announcing the news today, the European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner explained why they’re recommending the extension.

Dur: 00:20

Fix leaky water pipes & improve water efficiency - EU

EU countries are being urged to fix their leaky water pipes and improve water efficiency. The recommendations are part of the European Commission’s “Water Resilience Strategy” which contains a range of initiatives to help member states to better manage water resources. Speaking at today’s launch of the Strategy, Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall said it’s clear we need to put Europe on a water-resilient path.

Dur: 00:23