EU News Radio

EU ‘regrets’ US vow to quit Paris pact- ŠEFČOVIČ

The EU Trade Commissioner says the US decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Change Agreement is regrettable. Speaking in the European Parliament this morning, Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ reiterated the EU’s intention to “stay the course” and continue to implement the deal.

During his inaugural speech yesterday, US President Donald Trump announced his country would quit the historic deal that aims to reduce global warming and tackle the devastating impact of climate change.

Dur: 00:07

Paris agreement “best hope for all humanity” – von der Leyen

The President of the European Commission has vowed to continue honouring the Paris Climate Change Agreement and work with “all nations” that want to protect nature and stop global warming. Ursula von der Leyen was speaking this morning at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty that aims to reduce global warming and tackle the devastating impact of climate change. During his inaugural address yesterday, US President Donald Trump promised to pull out of it. This morning Ursula von der Leyen said Climate Change is still on top of the global agenda.  

Dur:00:26

EU “ready to negotiate” with US – von der Leyen

The EU is ready to engage early and negotiate with the United States. But the EU will “protect” its interests and uphold its values.

That’s according to the President of the European Commission who was speaking in Davos this morning. During her address, Ursula von der Leyen said no other economies in the world “are as integrated” as those of Europe and the United States. President’s von der Leyen’s address came a day after Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony in Washington.

Dur: 00:15

Ireland needs to be flexible & agile in “uncertain” environment – Chambers

EU finance ministers will meet tomorrow in Brussels where they’re to discuss ways to keep a globally competitive business environment in Europe.  Proposals for simplification and reduction of red tape are on the agenda.

The meeting comes as the new Trump administration takes over power in Washington. The EU is bracing itself for potential US tariffs on EU imports.  And President Trump's pledges to incentivise industries to relocate back to the States, could hit Ireland which is heavily reliant on corporation taxes from multinationals.

Speaking today in Brussels, Finance Minister Jack Chambers said Ireland will have to remain “flexible and agile” to cope with such uncertainties.

Dur: 00:27

Ireland will have “constructive engagement” with Trump – Chambers

Finance Minister Jack Chambers says the government will seek to have what he’s calling “constructive engagement” with the incoming Trump administration. He was speaking in Brussels ahead of a Eurogroup meeting there today. European countries are bracing themselves for potential US tariffs being imposed on EU imports.

Dur: 00:38

Mercosur beef imports within “reasonable limits” - ŠEFCOVIC

The market opening for beef imports from the South American Mercosur countries into the EU will be within “reasonable limits”. So says the EU Trade Commissioner Maroš ŠEFCOVIC who was speaking before the European Parliament’s Committee for International Trade (INTA) this morning. 

Dur: 00:45

EU farmers’ concerns on Mercosur taken “very seriously” - ŠEFCOVIC

The concerns of EU farmers about the Mercosur trade agreement were taken “very seriously” when the deal was being negotiated. That’s according to the EU Trade Commissioner Maroš ŠEFCOVIC who was speaking before the European Parliament’s Committee for International Trade (INTA) this morning. 

Final negotiations on the deal between the EU and the Mercosur countries of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay were reached last December. But the deal still needs to be approved by the European Parliament and EU countries (qualified majority). 

Dur: 00:40

Mercosur Agri-Food trade “balanced partnership”- ŠEFCOVIC

The EU’s Trade Commissioner says the bloc has reached what he calls “a balanced partnership” when it comes to Agri-Food trade between the EU and the South American Mercosur countries. Maroš ŠEFCOVIC was speaking before the European Parliament’s Committee for International Trade (INTA) in Brussels this morning.

Final negotiations on the deal between the EU and the Mercosur countries of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay were reached last December. But the agreement still needs approval from the European Parliament and EU countries (qualified majority). 

Commissioner ŠEFCOVIC told MEPs the partnership agreement “considerably” improves market access for many EU agri-food products in a market of two hundred and eighty million consumers (280m). 

Dur: 00:30 

Mercosur a “win win” for all - EU Sefcovic

The EU-Mercosur Trade agreement is a “win win” deal that will pave the way for new export opportunities for EU companies and help boost the bloc’s economic security and sustainability commitments.  

That’s according to the EU Trade Commissioner Maroš ŠEFCOVIC who was speaking before the European Parliament’s Committee for International Trade (INTA) this morning. Final negotiations on the deal between the EU and the Mercosur countries of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay were reached last December. 

But the agreement still faces scrutiny by the European Parliament and EU countries. This morning Commissioner ŠEFCOVIC said the deal offers “a unique opportunity to create a market of over seven hundred million consumers”.  

Dur: 00:33

European Commission defends reporting of Von der Leyen’s health

The European Commission this morning defended the way it’s been reporting the health status of EU boss Ursula von der Leyen. Last Friday a German news agency revealed the president had been in hospital in Hanover suffering from severe pneumonia. Her press office in Brussels has been criticised for not revealing earlier the president’s hospitalisation.

This morning Dr Von der Leyen’s Chief Spokesperson Paula Pinho, defended the way they’ve been communicating the state of the president’s health.

Dur: 01:2