EU News Radio

EU boss calls for “faster” & “dignified returns” of illegal migrants

The head of the European Commission is calling for “faster” and “dignified returns” of illegal migrants seeking a better life in the EU.

Ursula von der Leyen made the plea during an address to the European Parliament today. She told MEPs, last year there were almost a million (924,000) asylum applications across the European Union. But she said, the majority of those who apply for asylum are not in need of protection. And she stressed the return rates are at a low of twenty two percent (22%). 

Out words: get better

Dur: 00:15

“Criminal networks” trading in human life – EU

The EU needs to intensify the fight against criminal networks trading in human life. That’s the warning from the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.

During an address to the European Parliament this afternoon, President von der Leyen said the EU must urgently address the situation in the Central Mediterranean. She told MEPs, migratory pressure has “increased significantly, and all too often tragically at the expense of human life.”

The Commission will propose both legal and operational actions to tackle illegal migration at next week’s European council meeting.

Out words: of exploitation

Dur: 00:38

EU boss demands crackdown on people smugglers

The President of the European Commission has called for an intensification of the “fight against” criminal networks running illegal smuggling of people into the EU.

During an address to the European Parliament this afternoon, Ursula von der Leyen said asylum and reception systems across EU Member States are under “considerable strain”. She told MEPs the majority of those who apply for asylum are not in need of protection but the return rates are at a low of twenty two percent (22%).

The Commission will propose both legal and operational actions to tackle illegal migration at next week’s European council meeting. President von der Leyen said the EU will launch new anti-smuggling partnerships with key third countries

Out words: those smugglers

Dur: 00:20

Ireland referred to ECJ for biodiversity failings

The European Commission today referred Ireland and five other EU countries, to Europe’s highest court for failing to properly tackle alien invasive species that cause significant biodiversity loss and economic damage.

Alien invasive species are plants and animals which are accidentally or deliberately introduced to an area where they are not naturally found. They are one of the five major causes of biodiversity loss in Europe and worldwide. And they’re estimated to cause an annual twelve billion euro (€12bn) of damage to the European economy.

The Commission says Ireland has failed to implement various provisions of an EU law on confronting invasive alien species.

Adalbert Jahnz, a spokesperson for the European Commission, explains.  

Out words: Court of Justice

Dur: 00:38

 

Third countries have to “take back” irregular migrants to EU

Third countries need to “take back” their own citizens who end up being irregular migrants in the EU. That’s the warning from the European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson.

She was speaking this morning in Stockholm, ahead of an informal meeting of justice and home affairs ministers there.

Commissioner Johansson says the EU is experiencing an “acute” situation with a “huge increase" of "irregular migrants” arriving in the bloc. She said last year, almost a million people applied for asylum in EU countries, but that many of them didn’t need protection. The Commissioner is calling for more cooperation from third countries where irregular migrants come from.  

Out words: for example

Dur: 00:21

Irregular asylum seekers “overloading” EU – Commissioner Johansson

The EU needs to focus on returning “irregular” migrants back to their home countries to reduce the burden on the bloc’s reception capacities.

That’s according to the European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson. She was speaking this morning in Stockholm, ahead of an informal meeting of justice and home affairs ministers there.

Commissioner Johansson says the EU is experiencing an “acute” situation with a “huge increase of irregular arrivals of migrants” to the bloc. She said last year, almost a million people applied for asylum in EU countries, but she said, many of them didn’t need protection.

Out words: and quicker

Dur: 00:26

Mairead McGuinness heading to Kyiv

Ireland’s European Commissioner will travel to Kyiv next month, she has confirmed. Mairead McGuinness will accompany President von der Leyen and her colleagues for the trip scheduled for the coming weeks. Speaking in the European Parliament this morning, Mairead McGuinness, said it was important to reiterate the EU’s solidarity with Ukraine.

 

Out words: Unjustified war
Dur: 0’21”

Commissioner’s friend killed in Ukraine crash

A friend of Ukraine’s interior minister has spoken about her shock following his death. More than a dozen people, including several children, were reportedly killed in the helicopter crash in Kyiv. The European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, met Denys Monastyrsky last year and considered him a friend. Speaking in the European Parliament this afternoon, Commissioner Johansson said he is a hero.

 

Out words: 
Dur: 1’00”

EU Green Deal Industrial Plan to rival US

The President of the European Commission has announced a “Green Deal Industrial Plan” in response to rivalry with the US. According to the International Energy Agency, the clean energy sector will be worth around €600 billion by 2030. In the US, President Biden has promised massive subsidies through the so-called Inflation Reduction Act. Announcing Europe’s response this morning, Ursula von der Leyen pledged more generous state aid funding and a “bridging solution” to support European industry fast in the race against the US.

 

Out words: The coin
Dur: 0’55

Energy support must end, urges Economy Commissioner

Europe's economy appears to be holding up better than expected so far this winter, but clouds lie ahead, that's the warning from the EU's Economy Commissioner. Gas prices have fallen back below pre-war levels and the latest growth figures are slightly more optimistic than had been forecast. Speaking after a meeting of Eurogroup finance ministers in Brussels last night, Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni said energy support schemes, put in place to get people and businesses through a tough spell, should end now or we will risk stoking inflation again.

Out words: Fuelling inflation
Dur: 0’21”