Radio Schuman

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FRONTEX’s role in returning rejected asylum-seekers should be monitored, especially in terms of the protection of fundamental rights, green MEP Tineke Strik tells Radio Schuman on Monday.Earlier this month, the European Commission presented a new regulation that would - if approved - enable EU countries to transfer rejected asylum seekers to distant countries where they have never been before.Although the law did not establish deportation centres or “return hubs”, it lays the groundwork for outsourcing the migration tasks to the European Border and Coast Guard Agency FRONTEX.“I think we first need to make sure that FRONTEX is dealing with fundamental rights in a proper way, in line with EU law. And only then we can see what role they can take if it comes to third countries,” says green MEP Tineke Strik, as the agency has been investigated in the past for human rights violations.Today, Radio Schuman also takes a look at a discussion among agriculture ministers on the new Commission's plans to change agriculture in Europe, and also at a compilation by Euronews culture on the things people miss the most from the March 2020 Covid lockdown. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Europe needs to upscale its support for Ukraine as Donald Trump continues to shift towards Moscow, but EU member states find it challenging to agree on a fresh military aid to Ukraine One of the main discussions at the EU summit on March 20 was on defence - particularly about what is known as the Kallas plan. The plan, based on the idea that larger countries would provide larger donations to finance military expenses, has encountered strong disagreements.  According to bruxelles2 editor Nicolas Gros-Verheyde, the primary reason for the dispute is the big jump on the proposed amounts of donations for several countries. "It is not an increase. It is the double of the triple (of the previous amounts)," says Gros-Verheyde regarding the proposed amounts for France, Spain and Italy. In today's episode Radio Schuman also takes a look at the historic vote today in the German upper House on a law that  exempts defence and security expenditures from Germany's debt rules. The episode also explores the happiest countries in Europe according to the latest World Happiness Report. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ukraine’s territory has to be recognized, and its independence and sovereignty have to be protected, for the end of the war to be worth it, Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Thomas Byrne tells Radio Schuman today.As the European Council convenes for a summit today and tomorrow in Brussels, defence and Ukraine are key items on the agenda. “We all want peace. That must be a peace that's fair to the territory of Ukraine,” says Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Thomas Byrne, “If we can end the war and protect Ukraine and protect its independence and sovereignty, then it will certainly have been worth it.”The minister also emphasised promoting multilateralism, highlighting its contribution to peace and economic prosperity.Decisions on EU security and defence as well as an effective strategy in terms of trade relations with the US under the second term of President Trump are also expected from the upcoming summit.Today’s episode on Radio Schuman also features a discussion in the European parliament with Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank, and also explores a new study that reveals the world’s most disappointing tourist attractions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Destabilisation is not only about getting money anymore. It's also about helping ideologically oriented states to reach their goals, Europol Director Catherine De Bolle tells Radio SchumanEuropol new study finds the latest trends in organised crime, revealing an increase in the use of AI tools in criminal activities including money laundering, fraud, and scams. “In fact, the system is training itself and you don't need 200 people anymore to send all the mails,” says Europol’s Executive Director Catherine De Bolle, regarding the adoption of AI in organized criminal activities, “The AI system is even more accurate than the human letter, so you do not really find the mistakes anymore.” Europol also noted a growing cooperation between organised crime groups and foreign actors aiming to destabilise the EU. As a result, monetary gains from the crimes are no longer their only incentive. Radio Schuman also features discussions on the European Union’s response to growing security concerns at its eastern borders and the uncertain US involvement in European defence, as well as this year’s recipient of the Hunyadi János Award.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

More than 900 people are dying prematurely because of air pollution. Every year it's more than two people per day, air quality expert Pierre Dornier tells Radio Schuman.  Pollution in the Belgian capital has been reaching dangerous levels lately, putting the residents at increased risk of diseases including asthma, cancer and heart complications. The Brussels parliament, however, has voted for delaying necessary steps in the city’s plan to reduce emissions. Pierre Dornier, founder of Les chercheurs d’air, a Brussels-based organisation working for improved air quality, told Radio Schuman that air pollution claims nearly a 1000 lives prematurely every year.  Even masks may not save us from breathing in polluted air as it would induce heavier breathing- pulling particles in lower quantities but deeper than normal breathing. Radio Schuman today also discusses the ninth Brussels conference on Syria, the first one since the collapse of Bashar Assad’s government late last year, and a deterioration in the rule of law observed across several European countries.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Since the fall of Syria’s ex-dictator Bashar Al-Assad, the EU has promised to support the new interim government for democratic transition and has suspended several sanctions that were targeted at the Assad regime. However, with the recent wave of revenge-killings in the country that, according to reports, claimed 1500 lives, question arises on the bloc's approach to the new government.  In a recent resolution, MEPs also urged the new Syrian authorities to ”free themselves from their longstanding alliances with Tehran and Moscow” and revoke Russian military presence in the country.  So how does the EU see the recent developments in Syria? Radio Schuman speaks to Euronews’s journalist Mared Jones.    Today's episode also discusses the adoption and thoughts on AI among employees in the EU. Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Maïa de la Baume, with audio editing by David Brodheim. Music by Alexandre Jas. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The EU has retaliated after being hit hard by the US tariffs. But with US president Donald Trump’s threats to slap more tariffs, the bloc could step up the fight with its anti-coercion instrument, a tool that was put in place in 2023.Earlier this week, the EU launched import duties on €26 billion worth of American goods to respond to the US’s 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum. Trump responded to the EU countermeasures by threatening to impose a 200 percent tariffs on all wines, champagne and alcoholic products from France and other EU countries.So what to expect from a trade war that appears to have already started?Radio Schuman talks to Euronews’s trade reporter Peggy Corlin about the EU’s response to Trump’s tariffs and how the bloc could upscale its resistance with its anti-coercion instrument.Today Radio Schuman also discusses how employees of small and medium enterprises in the EU, who are also the hardest working in business, approach their working days.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's going to be tricky getting Russia to agree to ceasefire in Ukraine, post-Soviet political expert Donnacha Ó Beacháin tells Radio Schuman.Ukraine has accepted the offer of a 30-day ceasefire, and all eyes are now on Russia, but the latter will want to see the details of the ceasefire and will have plenty of qualifications, post-Soviet political expert Donnacha Ó Beacháin tells Radio Schuman today.The Professor of Politics at the School of Law and Government, Dublin City University (DCU) cannot see the Russians accepting “anything that doesn’t legitimise their land grab and ethnic cleansing” in Ukraine.Today Radio Schuman also features the EU South Africa summit and the increasing trend for VAT fraud across Europe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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