EuroParlRadio

Biden presidency should improve EU-US relations – Cuffe

The new Biden presidency should help improve EU-US relations which have taken a battering over the Trump years.

That’s the verdict of Green MEP Ciarán Cuffe.

The European Parliament this morning debated the implications of Mr Biden’s inauguration today. The president of the European Commission said Europe ‘now has a friend in the White House’.

Ciarán Cuffe says Mr Biden’s presidency should lead to a ‘calmer period of time’.  

Out words: transatlantic relationship

Dur: 00:28

Maria Walsh speaks of ‘relief’ following Trump departure

MEPs say the inauguration of Joe Biden as the next US President is an opportunity to strengthen EU-US ties.

 

Transatlantic relations have been strained over the past four years under the Trump Presidency.

 

This morning, the EU Commission Chief Ursula von der Leyen said Europe once again has a friend in the White House.

 

The Fine Gael MEP Maria Walsh, who was born in Boston, says she was relieved to see Donald Trump leave Washington this afternoon, ahead of the inauguration.  

 

Out words: white house

 

Dur: 0:22

No overnight change with Biden presidency– Cuffe

The president of the European Commission said Europe ‘now has a friend in the White House’ just hours ahead of Joe Biden’s inauguration.

Ursula von der Leyen was speaking during a debate in the European Parliament this morning on the presidential change in the US.

She told MEPs Europe was ready for a new start with its oldest and most trusted partner.

However Dublin MEP Ciarán Cuffe says we shouldn’t expect any major changes with the Biden presidency for some time .

Out words: will diminish

Dur: 00:31

 

Ireland could attract thousands more Erasmus students - Kelly

Fine Gael MEP Seán Kelly says Ireland could attract up to 16,000 more Erasmus students following the UK’s decision to leave the programme.

 

He’s calling on Irish third level institutions to seize the opportunity of now being the biggest English-speaking destination in the EU.

 

The Ireland South MEP says more Erasmus students would also provide a boost the local economy and to tourism.

 

Out words: advantages

 

Dur: 0:24

Workers are becoming ‘prisoners of the online world’ - Kelly

Fine Gael MEP Seán Kelly is backing calls for people to be allowed to digitally switch off from work.

 

The European Parliament is debating the issue today and will vote on a resolution tomorrow.

 

It means workers would have the right not to engage in work-related calls or emails once their shift ends.

 

Seán Kelly says many of us are becoming ‘prisoners of the online world’

 

Out words: disconnects

 

Dur: 0:35

MEPs vote on ‘the right to disconnect’ - voicer

People across the EU could be given the right to disconnect digitally from work without facing any consequences.

 

A debate on the issue is taking place in the European Parliament today.

 

From there, Kevin Purcell reports

 

Out words: in Brussels

 

Dur: 0:40

‘Silicon Valley cannot law down the law’– von der Leyen

The President of the European Commission is warning tech giants that they cannot be allowed to lay down the law.  

 

Ursula von der Leyen was speaking during a debate about the US election in the European Parliament.

 

She said hate speech and fake news must not be allowed on the internet but added that internet giants shouldn’t hold all the power.

 

Speaking through an interpreter, the EU Chief referenced the recent Trump Twitter ban

 

Out words: valley ceo

 

Dur: 0:29

‘Once again, Europe has a friend in the White House’– von der Leyen

The President of the European Commission says after four long years, Europe has a friend in the White House.

 

Ursula von der Leyen was speaking in the European Parliament ahead of the inauguration of Joe Biden as the next US President.

 

She said the EU is ready to reconnect with an old and trusted partner.

 

President von der Leyen says today marks a new era for transatlantic relations

 

Out words: trusted partner

 

Dur: 0:16

MEPs to debate new EU-US relationship

MEPs will this morning debate future EU-US relations, hours before the swearing in of Joe Biden as the next US President.
 
Europe is hoping it marks a return to cooperation following four years of the Trump administration.
 
President-elect Biden has already promised to re-join the Paris climate accord on his first day in office.
 
But Fianna Fáil MEP for Dublin Barry Andrews says we can’t expect too much from Biden in the short-term
 
Out words: develops too
 
Dur: 0:32

EU calls for vaccine acceleration – voicer

The European Commission is calling on member states to speed up the roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccines.

 

It wants at least 70 per cent of the adult population vaccinated by summer.

 

Kevin Purcell reports from the European Parliament in Brussels

 

Out words: in Brussels

 

Dur: 0:42