EU News Radio

EU accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova recommended – VDL

The European Commission today recommended that EU governments open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova. The Commission is also recommending Georgia be granted the status of a candidate country on the understanding that it takes certain reforms.

It’s also proposing the opening of accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina once it complies with the membership criteria.  Speaking this morning in Brussels, the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said today is an historic day and that Ukraine has completed well over ninety percent of required  reforms.

Out words: for them

Dur: 00:17

Von der Leyen urges Israel to strive to avoid civilian casualties

The President of the European Commission this morning said there was a “moral duty” to demonstrate “full solidarity” with the people of Israel in the wake of the worst mass murder of Jews since the Holocaust. In an address to EU Ambassadors, Ursula von der Leyen said there was no justification for the horror that Hamas unleashed against innocent men, women, children and babies on the seventh of October. 

President von der Leyen told the conference, Israel has the right to defend itself, in line with international law and international humanitarian law. But she urged Israel to strive to avoid civilian casualties and to be "as targeted" as possible. 

Out words: or Palestinian

Dur: 01:21

Essential Israel “strives to avoid civilian casualties” – von der Leyen

The President of the European Commission this morning said Hamas is “clearly using” innocent Palestinians and hostages as human shields. Ursula von der Leyen described those actions as “horrific” and “pure evil”. 

In a speech to EU ambassadors, she said policy makers face a “dreadful dilemma." She told the conference, Israel has the right to defend itself while “Hamas bunkers, hides fighters and stores weapons below refugee camps and civilian infrastructure”. But she also stressed it was essential that Israel “strives” to avoid civilian casualties.

Out words: or Palestinian

Dur: 00:31

Urgent need to address AI risks now – EU Jourova

The risks posed by Artificial Intelligence will be discussed today and tomorrow during the UK’s AI Safety Summit in Bletchley Park. The event, which kicked off this morning, brings together Political leaders, tech experts and executives and civil society groups.  They’ll discuss the dangers posed by Artificial intelligence and ask how those risks could be reduced through international efforts.

This morning during an address to the summit, the European Commissioner Vera Jourova said, it’s necessary to now address both the present and future dangers of Artificial Intelligence.  

Out words: and elections

Dur: 00:18

Enlargement “top of EU agenda” – Von der Leyen

The enlargement of the European Union is at the top of the EU’s agenda. That’s according to the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, who made the comments during a visit to the Western Balkans.

This morning she said Montenegro was the most advanced Western Balkan country on the EU accession path. This afternoon in Serbia, President von der Leyen reiterated a similar message about bringing more countries into the EU.

Out word: can match

Dur: 00:33

Poles proved “anti-democratic” anti-European mood “seasonal turbulence” Tusk

The leader of the Polish Civic Coalition Donald Tusk, says he has a strong sense of purpose to rebuild his country’s position in Europe and to “strengthen the EU as a whole”. Mr Tusk was speaking in Brussels this morning during a meeting with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. Mr Tusk is bidding to become Poland’s next Prime Minister following recent elections there.

He said the results of the votes clearly showed that “democracy, rule of law, freedom of speech, European unity are still really important” to Polish citizens.

Out words: seasonal turbulence

Dur: 00:16

EU Wind power sector facing “serious challenges”- EU ŠEFČOVIČ

The EU’s wind power sector faces “serious challenges” that require “immediate action”. That’s according to the European Commission which today proposed new measures to support the bloc’s flagging wind energy industry. According to the Commission, the sector's now facing difficulties in operating profitably and competitively.

The Commission today revealed its new European Wind Power Package which it says is an “immediate response” to a “unique mix of challenges” that are slowing down the industry’s development. The EU Commissioner in charge of the European Green Deal, Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, today outlined some of the challenges the sector now faces.

Out words: skilled workforce

Dur: 00:21

“Humanitarian pause” needed for Gaza aid – EU Borrell

The EU’s foreign policy chief says a “humanitarian pause” in the Israel-Hamas conflict, is needed in order to facilitate the arrival of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. Josep Borrell was speaking in Luxembourg following today’s meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers.

He said a humanitarian pause is a less ambitious objective than a ceasefire which would mean a full agreement between the warring parties. EU leaders are expected to discuss the calls for a humanitarian pause during an EU summit later this week.

Out words: are doing

Dur: 00:20 

“Same concerns” have to be shown to every civilian killed – EU Borrell

The EU’s foreign policy chief this morning said humanitarian support must be allowed into the Gaza Strip to bring badly needed supplies there. Josep Borrell said “queues and queues of trucks” are waiting to enter the Gaza Strip.

Mr Borrell was speaking in Luxembourg ahead of a meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers where the Israeli-Palestinian crisis will be discussed. He told reporters the “great powers have forgotten about the Palestinian issue” and the peace process.  And he said the same concerns have to be shown to every civilian killed in the Israel-Palestinian crisis.

Out words: being killed

Dur: 00:40

Great concern moving towards Muslim-Christian conflict – Borrell

The EU’s foreign policy chief this morning said the Palestinian people and inhabitants of Gaza, cannot be made responsible for what he called the “terrorist actions” of Hamas. Josep Borrell was speaking in the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

He condemned the Hamas attacks on Israel, but he said the strikes on civilian victims in Gaza should also be condemned. Mr Borrell said, while Israel has the right to defend itself when attacked, such a defence has limits which are marked by international humanitarian law.

He also warned, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has the potential to spark wider aggression between Muslims and Christians. (The following clip of Mr Borrell is translated by an interpreter.)

Out words: towards Lebanon

Dur: 00:36