EU News Radio

4m Ukraine refugees remain in EU – Johansson

Four million Ukrainian refugees remain in the EU after fleeing the war to countries in the bloc. That’s according to the EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson.

Speaking in Brussels this morning, she said sixteen million (16m) refugees came to the EU but that eleven million (11m) subsequently returned home while a further one million (1m) moved on to other places mainly Canada, the US and the UK. Commissioner Johansson said the refugee situation has been stable now for more than a year but that huge pressure remains on some member states.  

Out words: a pressure

Dur: 00:12

Draft Code of conduct on Generative AI within weeks – Vestager

A draft code of conduct for Generative Artificial Intelligence could be ready within weeks. That’s according to EU Commissioner Margrethe Vestager.

She made the announcement after a meeting of the EU-US Trade and Technology Council today in Sweden.  Generative AI systems such as ChatGPT are causing concern because of their ability to create an impressive range of new content based on deep learning.

Commissioner Vestager said accountable artificial intelligence is needed and that Generative AI “is a complete game changer”.

Out words: momentarily

Dur: 00:37

New EU “Growth plan” for Western Balkans – Von der Leyen

The six countries of the Western Balkans should enjoy some of the benefits of EU membership even before they join the bloc. That’s according to the President of the European Commission who was speaking in Bratislava (Slovakia) earlier today.

Ursula von der Leyen presented what she’s calling a new “Growth plan” for the Western Balkans which is based on four elements. They are to bring the Western Balkans closer to the EU Single Market and deepen regional economic integration. And the EU is proposing to help the six countries accelerate fundamental reforms and increase pre-accession funds.

Out words: European Union

Dur: 00:17

EU defence industry must “ramp-up” ammunition production – Von der Leyen

The President of the European Commission this morning called for an acceleration of ammunition production to help “sustain the efforts of the Ukrainian armed forces” in their fight against Russia.

Ursula von der Leyen was speaking at a conference in the Slovakian capital of Bratislava. She said the EU “must stand firmly” by Ukraine’s side  “for as long as it takes”. The European Commission recently proposed an Ammunition Production Act which is a direct response to EU calls to urgently deliver ammunition, and if requested missiles, to Ukraine.

Out words: invading forces

Dur: 00:22

EU Ministers discuss 11th round of Russian sanctions - Burke

The eleventh round of sanctions against Russia are being discussed today by EU Ministers meeting in Brussels. They’ll also prepare for an EU Leaders summit in June. The sanctions being proposed include targeting other countries and entities that help Russia evade existing trade embargoes.

Irish man David O’Sullivan, who is a former senior EU diplomat, was recently appointed a special envoy to ensure existing sanctions against Russia are implemented. Speaking in Brussels this morning, Europe Minister Peter Burke says the next package of sanctions will be “very significant”.

Out words: with Russia

Dur: 00:19

Consumers encouraged to invest in EU Capital Markets – McGuinness

New proposals to encourage people to invest their savings in EU capital markets were launched today by the European Commission. The aim of the Retail Investment Package is to make the EU a “safer place” for people to invest their savings. The Commission says participation in EU capital markets is lower than in other places such as the United States, even though Europeans have very high savings rates. 

The package includes measures to improve the way information is given to consumers about investment products and services. It aims to increase transparency and comparability of costs and have stricter safeguards where commissions are allowed.  Speaking at the launch today, Ireland’s Commissioner Mairead McGuinness said the package can make “a very real difference” to help people get more and fairer access to the financial system.

Out words: the system

Dur:  00:24

Meta €1.2bn fine justified – European Data Protection Board

The European Data Protection Board says the one point two billion euro (€1.2 billion) fine imposed on Meta Ireland for breaching EU-US data transfer rules was justified.

The Irish Data Protection Commission yesterday fined Facebook’s parent company, Meta Ireland for breaching the EU’s GDPR rules (General Data Protection Regulation). The Commission ruled Meta continued to transfer personal data from the EU to the US despite a European Court of Justice ruling against such transfers.

Ireland’s data regulator had disagreed though with the fine. But the Brussels-based European Data Protection Board says the massive financial penalty was justified. Isabelle Vereecken is head of the EDPB’s Secretariat.

Out words: the fine

Dur:  00:23

Trade “key” to sanctions against Russia & circumventions – McGuinness

The EU is closely watching trade and how it might be leading to circumventions in sanctions against Russia. That’s according to EU Commissioner Mairead McGuinness who was speaking today at London’s Royal United Services Institute.

The EU has already implemented ten packages of sanctions against Russia because of its war on Ukraine. An eleventh package is now in discussion. It’s expected to focus on closing loopholes and addressing the challenge of circumvention and the rerouting of trade in banded products.  

Here’s Commissioner McGuinness.          

Out words: see circumvention

Dur: 00:32

EU-US data protection framework being finalised – EU

A new data protection framework between the EU and the US is being finalised and should be “fully functional” by the summer. That’s according to European Commission spokesperson, Christian Wigand.

He was commenting on the decision by Ireland’s Data Protection Commission to impose a €1.2bn fine on Facebook’s parent company, Meta for breaching the EU’s GDPR rules (General Data Protection Regulation). The Commission found Meta continued to transfer personal data from the EU to the US despite a European Court of Justice ruling against such transfers.

Mr Wigand said the new data protection framework would guarantee “stability and legal certainty” for businesses. And he said it would also ensure the strict protection of the private life of citizens.  

Out words: of Justice

Dur: 00:15

G7 vows further sanctions against Russia – Charles Michel

Further sanctions are to be imposed on Russia for its war against Ukraine. In a statement today leaders of the G7 countries with the EU also represented, said they were “imposing further sanctions and measures to increase the costs to Russia and those who are supporting its war effort”.

The G7 say they will starve Russia of technology, industrial equipment and services that support its war machine. They’re also vowing to further curtail Russia’s use of the international financial system for its war in Ukraine. And they’re warning they will continue to work closely together to restrict trade in and use of diamonds mined, processed or produced in Russia.  

Speaking in Hiroshima, Japan where the G7 leaders are meeting, the President of the European Council Charles Michel, said the EU is now focused on “shutting the door on loopholes”  and continuing to cut Russia off from critical supplies.

Out words: and figures

Dur: 00:23