EU News Radio

EU-Ukraine accession negotiations feasible – Varadkar

The Ukrainian president is expected to press EU leaders to allow Ukraine to begin accession negotiations to join the European Union as soon as possible.

Volodymyr Zelensky is in Brussels attending an EU summit where he will meet leaders of EU member states. He addressed the European Parliament in the Belgian capital earlier on Thursday.

Speaking in Brussels this morning, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said it was feasible that accession negotiations with Ukraine could begin later this year if it meets the required criteria.

Out words: their application

Dur: 00:21

“We stand 100% behind Ukraine”– Varadkar

The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, is in Brussels today to meet EU leaders at the European Council summit taking place there. This morning President Zelensky addressed the European Parliament in person. His visit to Brussels follows a surprise trip to London and Paris yesterday.

Speaking in Brussels this morning, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said in many ways, the most important topic on this week’s Council agenda would be Ukraine.

Out words: it takes

Dur: 00:24

EU proposes plans to “boost disaster resilience”

EU plans to better prepare European countries for natural hazards, including earthquakes, floods and forest fires, were outlined today in Brussels. The European Commission is recommending the setting up of common goals to boost disaster resilience in the area of civil protection. The aim of the five “European disaster resilience goals” is to improve the capacity of the EU and participating states, to anticipate and withstand the effects of future major disasters and emergencies.

Speaking today at the launch of the initiative, the European Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič, said natural and man-made disasters are becoming more frequent, intense and complex.

Out words: the environment

Dur: 00:25

Historic EU meeting in Ukraine

The President of the European Commission will hold meetings with the government of Ukraine in Kyiv today. President von der Leyen is accompanied by fifteen members of the EU’s College of Commissioners including Ireland’s Mairead McGuinness.  

It will be the first ever EU College to Government meeting with Ukraine. And it comes ahead of an EU-Ukraine summit tomorrow.

This morning the EU commissioner Johannes Hahn explained the purpose of the visit during his address to the European Parliament in Brussels.

Out words: diplomatic outreach

Dur: 00:31

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