EuroParlRadio

Von der Leyen felt ‘hurt’ and ‘alone’ during Turkish ‘Sofagate’

The President of the European Commission says her recent humiliating treatment by the Turkish President happened because she was a woman.

In a speech to the European Parliament last night, Ursula von der Leyen described how she was relegated to a sofa during her recent trip to Ankara.

The EU boss was meeting the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan along with the head of the European Council Charles Michel. But while both men sat down on stately chairs, President von der Leyen had to sit on a sofa nearby.

Out words: and everywhere

Dur: 00:40

“Would this have happened if I had worn a suit and tie?” – Von der Leyen on Turkey sofa gate

The president of the European Commission has slammed Turkey for its disrespectful behaviour to her during her recent visit there.

 

Ursula von der Leyen described to MEPs in the European Parliament last night how she felt after being relegated to a sofa during a meeting with the Turkish president and her European Council counterpart Charles Michel.

The two met sat on majestic chairs while Ms Von der Leyen was forced to sit further away from them on a sofa during the meeting.  

The incident caused outrage at the time and President von der Leyen said it left her feeling hurt and alone.

Out words: pictures neither

Dur: 00:31

Companies mustn’t harm people or planet with impunity – Fitzgerald

Companies may soon have to include human rights and environmental assessments and standards in their operations.

The European Parliament is calling for the urgent adoption of a binding EU law that would hold companies accountable and liable when they do harm.

The proposed law would require companies to identify, address and remedy their impact on human rights and the environment throughout their value chain.

MEPs are also calling for a ban on imports of products linked to severe human rights violations such as forced or child labour.

Dublin MEP Frances Fitzgerald explains.

Out words: these values

Dur: 00:40

EU will pursue Syrian war crimes - Andrews

The conflict in Syria must be brought to an end and justice found for victims, says Fianna Fáil MEP, Barry Andrews. Mid-March marks the ten-year anniversary of the Syrian civil war. Hundreds of thousands of people have been killed and millions have lost their homes. The UN has put forward a political process to end the conflict, but so far without success. Barry Andrews – who co-authored a resolution in the European Parliament on the issue this week - wants the EU to appoint a special envoy to Syria. He says the European Union can be an influential player in bringing about peace, and also in finding justice to victims of war crimes.

Out words:  It may take

Dur: 0’24”

Citizens’ engagement on Europe’s future to get underway – Fitzgerald

People around the country will be encouraged to participate in discussions on the European Union’s future. A new initiative called the Conference on the Future of Europe was formally launched this week in Brussels.

Its aim is to enable citizens to participate in reshaping EU policies and institutions.

Those behind the project say people will be able to take part in many events and debates across the EU, as well as having a say through a multilingual digital platform.

Fine Gael’s Dublin MEP Frances Fitzgerald has more.

Out words: European level

 

Dur: 00:18

Agri-Food producers should benefit from suspension of US tariffs – Markey

Producers of Irish food products like butter and cheese should benefit from the suspension of US tariffs on exports from Ireland and the rest of Europe.

So says Fine Gael MEP Colm Markey.

Last week the EU and US agreed to a four-month suspension of all retaliatory tariffs on EU and U.S. exports. They were imposed as a result of the ongoing Airbus and Boeing disputes.

Here’s Colm Markey.

Out: in particular

Dur: 00:21

No decision by European Parliament on EU-UK trade deal vote – Clune

The European Parliament still has to decide on when it’s going to vote on the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

MEPs were expected to ratify the deal later this month. But the UK’s unilateral extension of grace periods for checks on certain goods coming from Britain into Northern Ireland scuppered those plans.

Fine Gael MEP Deirdre Clune says there is still time before MEPs have to vote on it.

Out words: happens next

Dur:  00:33

MEPs declare EU an LBGTIQ freedom zone - Walsh

The European Parliament has voted for the EU to be an LGBTIQ freedom zone.

Today’s vote was in response to Poland’s move to declare certain parts of the country LGBTI-free zones. Hungary has also been criticised for gender-based discriminations.

Maria Walsh, Fine Gael MEP for the Midlands North-West, says the EU should use Article 7 of the EU treaty against Poland and Hungary. It enables the suspension of certain rights from an EU country if it persistently breaches European values.

Out words: orientation  

Dur:  00:26

Kerry’s EU visit “really good step” for Climate action – Cuffe

The visit of the new US Climate Envoy to Europe this week is a good signal of American action on the environmental crisis. So says Green MEP Ciarán Cuffe.

John Kerry’s been on a whistle-stop tour of Europe with visits to London, Brussels and Paris this week. His trip comes ahead of a major United Nations Climate summit (COP26) in Glasgow in November.

Ciarán Cuffe’s hoping Kerry’s visit will trigger US action on the environment.  

Out words: climate action.

Dur: 00:24

FG MEP defends lifting immunity of Catalan MEPs – Fitzgerald

The Fine Gael MEP Frances Fitzgerald has defended her vote in the European Parliament to lift the parliamentary immunity of three Catalan MEPs.

Last Monday the majority of MEPs voted in favour of removing the immunity of the three politicians including the former Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont.

They were involved in the Catalonian independence referendum of 2017 which was declared illegal by the Spanish courts.

Monday’s vote could see the three being extradited to Spain.

Frances Fitzgerald explains why she voted to lift their immunity.  

Out words: about Spain  

Dur: 00:30