EU News Radio

From “Flying taxis” to grocery deliveries in Dublin – Drones

By the end of the decade we might all be getting “flying taxis” to destinations in urban areas. The European Commission today announced plans to fully automate small aircraft that would transport passengers and goods and cut down on travel time.

It’s all part of an updated EU Drones Strategy which sets out a vision for the further development of the European Drone market. Drones in Europe are currently being used for a range of services from monitoring oil spills, to delivering groceries in Dublin.

The Commission is hoping pilotless transport will be offered at the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024. Speaking today, the European Commissioner for Transport Adina Valean, said drones provide many valuable services today.

Out words: requirements

Dur: 00:44

EU approves €1.22bn Irish support of companies struggling with high costs

The European Commission today approved a one point twenty two billion euro (€1.22billion) Irish scheme to support companies across a range of sectors who’re experiencing record-high energy costs because of the war in Ukraine.

The aid will take the form of direct grants. It will be open to companies of all sizes active in all sectors that are affected by the crisis except credit and financial institutions. The scheme will run initially until the end of next February but it could be extended until the end of April (2023).

Arianna Podesta, spokeswoman with the European Commission, explains

Out words: previous year

Dur: 00:22

“Risks” of gas price cap proposals to be followed closely – EU

The risks of imposing gas price caps proposed by the European Commission yesterday, will be followed closely. That’s according to the European Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson who outlined details of the plans to MEPs in Strasbourg this morning.

The proposed “market correction mechanism” would enable the bloc to automatically intervene in gas markets in cases of severe price hikes.

However critics say it’s unlikely ever to be used because it can only be triggered under extreme circumstances.  Speaking today in the European Parliament, Commissioner Simson said the price cap plans were designed to protect EU markets against significant gas price spikes.

Out words: conclusions

Dur: 00:38

Europe ministers to get Brexit update

Irish-UK relations have “much improved”, now it needs to translate into progress on the Northern Ireland protocol issue, says Ireland’s Europe Minister. Thomas Byrne has been speaking this morning in Brussels ahead of a meeting with his EU counterparts where Brexit is on the agenda.

 

Out words: See that soon

Dur: 0’19”

EU sends winter aid as Ukraine feels first snow chill

The EU is building up strategic reserves to send to Ukraine – that’s according to the European Commissioner for Crisis Management. Russian missile strikes have continued to target energy infrastructure in recent days. Freezing temperatures and snow is forecast for today. The EU has been sending vital supplies to keep people warm, as well as equipment to help repair water and electricity. Speaking from the EU’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre earlier, Commissioner Lenarčič said the European Union has been preparing for months for the arrival of winter in Ukraine.

 

Out words: Civilian infrastructure

Dur: 0’49”

EU to train and equip 15,000 Ukrainian soldiers

Thousands of Ukrainian soldiers are set to undergo military training in the European Union. The mission was agreed by EU defence ministers meeting in Brussels today. Ministers also decided to allocate €16 million from the EU budget to equip recruits with weapons and ammunition. Poland, Germany and Spain are all expected to host Ukrainian armed forces personnel. The EU’s foreign affairs chief, Josep Borrell, says the training will start straight away.

 

Out words: In this mission

Dur: 0’16”

Commission proposes stepping-up of “cooperation” with NATO

The European Commission is proposing a stepping up of EU cooperation with NATO and partner countries. The proposal is part of a new European Security and Defence Package to improve the EU’s ability to defend itself and its values.  

The package includes a new EU cyber defence policy to improve the bloc’s capacity to protect both military and civilian assets from cyberattacks. It also contains proposals to enable armed forces and military equipment to move better and faster across EU borders when a crisis hits.

Speaking today at the launch of the package, the EU Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said the Russian war on Ukraine and the recent cyber-attacks on strategic assets were wake-up calls for all of us.

Out words: our neighbourhoods

Dur: 00:34

Commission presents new Security & Defence Package – Vestager

The European Commission today presented a new Security and Defence Package to improve the EU’s ability to defend itself and its values.  

The package includes a new EU cyber defence policy to improve the bloc’s capacity to protect both military and civilian assets from cyberattacks. It also contains proposals to enable armed forces and military equipment to move better and faster across EU borders when a crisis hits. And it includes provisions to “step-up” cooperation with NATO and partner countries.

Speaking today at the launch of the package, the EU Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said the Commission was “stepping up its contribution to European defence”.

Out words: everyday life

Dur: 00:20

Global fossil fuel crisis “must be a game changer” - VDL

The President of the European Commission has called for the acceleration and scaling up of renewable energies to help the planet and achieve independence and security of energy supply.  Ursula von der Leyen was speaking at the COP27 climate change summit in Sharm el-Sheikh.

She told delegates the EU is “massively accelerating” the rollout of renewables. And she said the bloc will reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030.

The EU boss also warned that those most in need in the developing world must be supported in adapting to a harsher climate.

Out words: of supply

Dur: 01:09

“Let us not take the highway to hell” – VDL

The President of the European Commission has called for the acceleration and scaling up of renewable energies to help the planet and achieve independence and security of energy supply.  

Ursula von der Leyen was speaking at the COP27 climate change summit in Sharm el-Sheikh. She told the conference, the EU is “massively accelerating” the rollout of renewables. And she said, the bloc could reach an all-time record of additional renewable capacity next year, if it speeds up the development of clean energy like solar, wind and green hydrogen.

Out words: our responsibility roll-out

Dur: 00:14