EU News Radio

“No alternative to UNRWA” – EU

The European Commission has condemned last night’s vote in the Israeli parliament to pass laws banning the UN’s Palestinian refugee agency, UNRWA from operating within Israel and occupied East Jerusalem.

Yesterday the EU’s Foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell said in statements on X, the new Israeli laws would “render UNRWA’s vital operations in Gaza impossible”. And he stated they would “seriously hamper its provision of services in the West Bank”. This morning European Commission spokesperson Nabila Massrali, said last night’s vote is “extremely worrying”.

Out words: to UNRWA

Dur: 00:13

Urgent need for ceasefire in Lebanon – EU

Lebanon is a “fragile country” that’s been “gravely weakened by multiple crises”. And it’s at risk of being further destabilised by Israeli operations which would have wider repercussions on the region and beyond.

That’s the warning from the EU Commissioner responsible for Crisis Management. Janez LENARČIČ made the comments this morning during an address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg. The European Commission is calling for an “immediate de-escalation” of the conflict in Lebanon and a ceasefire.

Out words: being children

Dur: 00:21

UNIFIL “essential” for Lebanon & Israel – EU

The European Commission says UNIFIL’s “stabilisation role” in Lebanon “is essential” for both Lebanon and Israel. This morning the EU Commissioner for Crisis Management told the European Parliament, UNIFIL’s role would become even more critical in “the perspective of a ceasefire”.

Janez LENARČIČ referred to last week’s European Council summit which condemned recent Israeli attacks against UNIFIL in South Lebanon. Mr LENARČIČ said those attacks constituted a “grave violation” of international law and must stop immediately.   

Out words: full backing

Dur: 00:26

EU not successful in de-escalating Middle East conflict – MacNeill

The EU has not been successful in implementing policies and steps to influence a “de-escalation” of the conflict in the Middle East. That’s according to Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill who was speaking in Luxembourg ahead of an EU General Affairs Council meeting today.

She says EU states need to reflect on the July judgement of the International Court of Justice. It declared that Israel’s occupation of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank including East Jerusalem, was unlawful.

Out words: of that judgement

Dur:  00:23

Israel wants to drive “eyes and ears” out of S. Lebanon – Martin

Tánaiste Micheál Martin says Israel wants to drive the “eyes and ears” out of South Lebanon and give itself “free reign” in the area.  He was speaking this morning in Luxembourg ahead of a meeting of EU Foreign Affairs ministers. Mr Martin’s comments follow demands by Israel that UNIFIL forces withdraw from Southern Lebanon.

Out words: of that

Dur: 00:22

Ireland has highest % increase in road deaths in EU in 2023

Ireland had the highest percentage increase in road deaths in the EU in 2023. That’s according to a new European Commission report out this week.  It shows that road deaths in Ireland are continuing to trend upwards although the rate of deaths per million inhabitants remains below the EU average. Last year, one hundred and eighty four people (184) were killed on Irish roads.

Helen Kearns from the European Commission in Ireland, explains what the figures show about Ireland’s record on road safety for 2023.  

Out words: across Europe

Dur: 00:24

Ukraine top of EU Finance ministers meeting – EU Gentiloni

Ukraine was top of the agenda today at a meeting of EU finance ministers in Luxembourg. They discussed a new package of proposals put forward by the European Commission. The recommendations include multi-billion euro loans to Ukraine to help it deal with the economic fallout of the war. The loans will be serviced and repaid by revenues generated from immobilised Russian assets. The Commission is also proposing  changing the EU’s sanction regime for immobilised Russian assets, from six months to every three years.

The EU’s Economy Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni, said the measures send a clear message to the Kremlin that “they will pay directly for the damage caused by its war of aggression”. 

Out words: immediate needs

Dur: 00:09

Ireland one of lowest EU rates of overcrowded households for young

Ireland has one of the lowest rates of over-crowding in houses for young people in the EU. That’s according to the latest Eurostat figures out this week. Romania, Bulgaria and Latvia have the highest overcrowded households rates for young people. By contrast, the lowest rates were found in Malta, Cyprus and Ireland where the rate was just 4.4%. 

Helen Kearns, head of Communications in the European Commission’s Representation in Ireland explains more. 

Out words: overcrowded households 

Age of young Irish leaving parental home 28 - EU

The average age of young people in Ireland leaving the parental home was twenty eight (28) in 2023. That’s above the EU average of 26.3 years. And it’s gone up since 2022 when it was 26.9. That’s according to the latest Eurostat figures out this week. But other EU countries like Italy, Spain and Slovenia have even higher leaving ages. And Croatia tops the list. There, the average age of a young person leaving the parental home, was nearly thirty two (31.8) last year. 

Helen Kearns, head of Communications in the European Commission’s Representation in Ireland, says a range of issues impact access to housing across the EU particularly for young people. 

Out words: housing crisis 

Dur: 00:25

EU urges ‘global ambition’ ahead of COP29

Ursula von der Leyen has urged countries around the world to meet global climate ambitions. The 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP29, will take place in Azerbaijan in November. At the last COP, world leaders accepted that deep cuts to emissions are needed to limit global warming to 1.5°C and that richer countries would have to help developing countries pay for the transition. Speaking at the Global Renewables Summit in New York, the European Commission President said Europe was well on the way to its targets, but others need to do more.

 

Out words: with life

Dur: 0’59”