EU News Radio

EU warns China on Russian relations – Borrell

China’s position on Russia’s atrocities and war crimes in Ukraine, “will determine the quality” of EU relations with Beijing. That’s the warning from the EU’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell. He made the comments this morning following his meeting with the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Brussels.

The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the French President Emmanuel Macron are visiting China this week. They’re due to meet the Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday. Mr Borrell said that as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China is expected to stand up in defence of an international rules-based order.

Out words: to China    

Dur: 00:17

Putin’s “nuclear gamble” poses “direct threat” to Europe – Borrell

The EU’s foreign policy chief has strongly condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin’s plans to place Russian tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus.

Josep Borrell was speaking following his bilateral meeting in Brussels this morning with the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Mr Borrell said Putin’s plans to move tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus, threaten European security.

Out words: arms abroad

Dur: 00:30

von der Leyen praises GFA unsung heros

The President of the European Commission has praised the people as well as the politicians who brought about the Good Friday Agreement. The EU is commemorating the 25^th anniversary with a series of events in Brussels this afternoon. Ursula von der Leyen said the agreement was down to the incredible work by leaders on all sides, but also to the citizens.

Out words:  Good Friday Agreement

Dur: 0’24”

Brexit challenged GFA letter, spirit and promise – von der Leyen

Brexit posed a challenge to the letter, spirit and promise of the Good Friday Agreement – that’s according to Ursula von der Leyen. The European Commission President has been speaking at a commemoration ceremony to mark 25 years of the agreement in Brussels this afternoon. She says the EU was determined that Brexit would not undermine reconciliation. And she says she is confident the Windsor Framework remains true to the Good Friday Agreement.

 

Out words:  Of Ireland

Dur: 1’06”

EU storing vaccines for future wave

The EU is in negotiating with manufacturers to “significantly reduce” vaccine deliveries, the European Commission has admitted. During the pandemic the EU ordered millions of doses of covid vaccines. Since then, the EU has convinced Pfizer and other vaccine makers to delay vaccine distribution in the face of falling demand. The European Health Commissioner, Stella Kyriakides, says that work is continuing, whilst at the same time ensuring enough doses are stored in case we are hit by another serious wave.

 

Out words: May need
Dur: 0’32”

Ireland providing “massive response” to Ukraine – Minister Burke

Ireland is “very very clear” in terms of the non-lethal aid it provides to Ukraine. That’s according to Europe Minister Peter Burke who was speaking in Brussels ahead of a meeting of EU ministers today.

His comments follow yesterday’s approval by EU foreign and defence ministers of plans to boost artillery ammunition deliveries to Ukraine.

Mr Burke said the Taoiseach is in “very close contact” with the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky.

Out words: Ukrainian citizens 

Dur: 00:40

 

€7 billion pledged to Turkey & Syria – von der Leyen

A total of seven billion euro (€7bn) has been pledged to help Turkey and Syria deal with the aftermath of February’s devastating earthquakes that claimed nearly fifty thousand lives. The monies were pledged by representatives of countries attending an International Donors’ conference in Brussels today to support those affected by the recent earthquakes.

This morning EU boss Ursula von der Leyen said the European Commission is pledging a billion euro (€1bn) to help Turkey for post-earthquake reconstruction with an additional one hundred and eight million (€108m) for Syria. This afternoon, she thanked donors for their pledges.

Out words: and accountability

Dur: 00:14

EC pledges €1bn for Turkey & €108m for Syria – Von der Leyen

Six weeks after the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, the needs of survivors are still massive and must be tackled with urgency. That’s according to the EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. She was speaking at an International Donors’ conference in Brussels to support those affected by the recent earthquakes.

President von der Leyen told the conference, the European Commission is pledging a billion euro (€1bn) to help Turkey for post-earthquake reconstruction. And she said it’s pledging an additional one hundred and eight million (€108m) for humanitarian assistance and early recovery in Syria.

Out words: their lives

Dur: 00:22

McGuinness reassures EU banking “in good shape”

Mairead McGuinness has insisted that the EU banking sector is in “good shape” following the collapse of three banks in the US. In the European Union, all banks must keep enough assets to protect themselves under the so-called ‘Basel rules’. Speaking in Strasbourg this afternoon, the European Commissioner for Financial services, Mairead McGuinness, said the situation in the US is different.  

 

Out words: Deposit insurance
Dur: 0’49”

EU to set clean tech ambition targets

The EU is to set new targets to try to speed up Europe’s green transition. On Thursday, the European Commission will outline new laws aimed at boosting the clean tech sector. The EU also wants to encourage a shift away from China for the mining of raw materials like lithium and magnesium. So-called rare earth minerals are needed in a range of technology from mobile phones to wind turbines. Setting out her vision in a speech this morning, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said nurturing European clean tech will create jobs and help the environment here.

 

Out words: Provides funding

Dur: 0’15”