EU Decoded

Figures on violence against women are shocking. Every day, two women are killed at the hands of a partner or family member in the EU, and sexual harassment affects one in two women. In this episode of our "A Europe that Protects You" series, we delve deeper into the decisive steps the EU is taking to combat this pervasive issue. We believe that criminalising gender-based violence everywhere in Europe, and to the same standards, is the first step towards this goal. Hear from MEPs Frances Fitzgerald, Arba Kokalari, Elissavet Vozemberg, and Javier Zarzalejos, who spearheaded the EPP Group's efforts on this front, as they share valuable insights. Additionally, activist Iliana Balabanova, President of the European Women's Lobby, sheds light on the current landscape across the EU. She also discusses the significance of recent milestones, including the EU's accession to the Istanbul Convention and the Directive on Combating Violence Against Women. Tune in to learn more about our mission to build a safer European Union for everyone.

With the EU accounting for 14% of global trade in goods and around 38 million jobs in Europe depending on European exports, the importance of international trade cannot be overstated. In this episode of the EPP Group podcast series ‘A Europe that Protects You,’ we look at global trade's impact on the EU regarding innovation, competitiveness and job opportunities. In this episode, however, we not only examine the effects of international trade on the EU, but also examine the EU's impact on international trade. This is done through its smart trading agreements, which continue to set global benchmarks for environmental, social and health standards.

Over 70% of businesses in the EU lack staff with adequate digital skills, which hinders investment. How can we fix the imbalance between unemployment, job vacancies and the skills needed to fill them? The first step towards bridging this gap is to offer further training programs for our workforce. Upskilling and lifelong learning are key parts of this transformation. In this episode of the EPP Group podcast series “A Europe that Protects its People”, we discuss our vision of a Europe that works for everyone while ensuring EU competitiveness. Hear more from our MEPs Axel Voss, Andreas Schwab, Dennis Radtke, Maria Walsh and Žiga Turk, Professor at the University of Ljubljana.

Healthcare is a key concern across the EU27. In fact, two out of three Europeans would like to see a common European Health Union, according to a Eurostat survey. This would ensure quality care for all Europeans. In this episode of our "A Europe that Protects You" series, we delve into the major achievements of this legislative term and the EPP Group's unwavering commitment to keeping health at the top of the EU's agenda in the upcoming Parliamentary mandate. MEPs Tomislav Sokol, Dolores Montserrat, Peter Liese, Adam Jarubas, Maria Walsh and Maria da Graça Carvalho guide us through the Group's strategic vision to build a true European Health Union. In addition, Dr Fatima Cardoso, Director of the Breast Cancer Unit at Champalimaud Clinical Center in Lisbon and member of the initiative Transforming Breast Cancer Together, sheds light on the needs of patients and carers. Tune in to learn more about the future of healthcare in Europe.

How to combat organised crime in the EU? Organised crime is a major threat to the internal security of the European Union and Europeans. In 2019, criminal activities like drug trafficking, human smuggling and cybercrime cost the EU a staggering €139 billion. The EPP Group proposes a targeted strategy to 'follow the money' – freezing and confiscating criminal assets to hit organised crime where it hurts. With over 5,000 organised crime groups operating in the EU, we want to equip Europol with sufficient resources to tackle terrorism, human trafficking and drug smuggling on the ground. The Agency should be given an extended operational role and become an operational 'Police Force' on the ground. Every seized drug shipment and every disrupted criminal network brings us closer to a safer Europe. With guests: Lena Düpont, Tomas Tobé, Vincze Loránt, Javier Zarzalejos and Europol Spokesperson, Jan Op Gen Oorth. Listen now! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EPPGroup Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eppgroup Twitter: https://twitter.com/eppgroup

Higher energy prices squeeze both consumers and businesses. This is due to a green transition toward renewable energy, and a drive toward an EU Energy Union with more dependable supplies from home and abroad. In this episode of the EPP Group podcast series ‘’A Europe that protects its people,’’ we talk to some key players in the European Parliament. They are helping shape Europe’s energy future aimed at securing affordable, renewable and reliable energy supplies. We look at the growing role of hydrogen, especially for energy-intensive industries, and the need for a more integrated energy grid across the EU27 to build a strong European Energy Union resistant to global and regional shocks. Don't miss it!

More than 300.000 people crossed European borders illegally in 2022. Member States' reception capacities are at their limits, and serious action is needed. In our latest episode, we discussed the European migration crisis and the benefits of the newly adopted Pact on Migration and Asylum. We also discussed the grim reality of migrant smuggling. With MEPs Tomas Tobé, Lena Düpont, Paulo Rangel, Rasa Juknevičienė, Henna Virkkunen and Dr Lars Gerdes, Frontex Deputy Executive Director for Return and Operations. Don't miss it!

We are only a few days away from the beginning of the COP28 in Dubai where the EU arrives leading the fight against climate change with over 30 laws that aim pushing us closer to achieving the Paris Agreement goals. But as it was said many times before, Europe can't do it all on its own. We need others to step up, mainly USA, India and China. Tune in to our latest episode with MEPs Lidia Pereira and Peter Liese, and EU's Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra. Don't miss it! And if you have a topic that you would like to hear discussed in this podcast, please get in touch via social media. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EPPGroup Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eppgroup Twitter: https://twitter.com/eppgroup

Almost 800 young people from all corners of Europe gathered in Brussels for EPP Group Youth Week. They attended topical workshops with experts and debated with MEPs and European Commissioners. They eventually suggested their own campaign on a topic they found crucial at the EU level. We spent some time with them and asked them what they see as the most significant issues in the EU. We also asked what changes they would like to see. From fantastic ideas about the future to a marriage proposal in the Hemicycle of the European Parliament - we've seen it all this week. Tune in to our latest episode and hear what the younger generations want from the EU. If you have a topic you would like to hear discussed in this podcast, please get in touch via social media. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EPPGroup Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eppgroup Twitter: https://twitter.com/eppgroup

Irregular entries into the European Union rose about 20% in the first eight months of this year to over 230.000. Within that number the crossings across the central Mediterranean nearly doubled. The UN International Organization for migration lists 2800 dead or missing, mostly in the central Mediterranean so far this year. The situation is, obviously, very serious and we need a solution. In our latest episode we talked to MEPs Lena Dupont and Jeroen Lenaers about the EU Migration and Asylum Pact. Don't miss it! And if you have a topic you would like to hear discussed in this podcast, please contact us via social media. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EPPGroup Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eppgroup Twitter: https://twitter.com/eppgroup

How can we make the EU function better? How can we make sure it will be able to take action more decisively on the challenges we face today? Is adapting the Treaties the answer? In which way? In our latest episode we talked to MEP Sven Simon of European Parliament's Committee on Constitutional Affairs on these topics. Don't miss it! And if you have a topic you would like to hear discussed in this podcast, please contact us via social media. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EPPGroup Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eppgroup Twitter: https://twitter.com/eppgroup

The European Union needs 10 billion euros more in emergency spending for Europe's recovery from the pandemic, strategic autonomy, the Ukraine war, migration and natural disasters, say EPP Group MEPs in this episode. The funding is to expand on the European Commission's nearly 66 billion-euro proposed top-up of the EU's budget through 2027. Recent fires, floods, a migration crisis have compounded the EU's challenges, and the additional support for Ukraine is needed before existing funding runs out at the end of the year. The EU27 leaders in the European Council will need to approve the extra funding, which MEP Jan Olbrycht of Poland calls "ambitious" and "realistic". Don't miss this episode! If you have a topic you would like to hear discussed in this podcast, please contact us via social media. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EPPGroup Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eppgroup Twitter: https://twitter.com/eppgroup

With close links to Putin’s war machine, Russian and Belarusian athletes should be barred from the Paris Olympics next year, say former star athletes and EPP Group MEPs. In this podcast episode, we talk to them at a roundtable event in the European Parliament. They say that while Russia’s military is killing thousands of Ukrainians – including hundreds of athletes - it is unacceptable for Russian and Belarusians linked to that army to compete in the Games. Tune in! If you have a topic you would like to hear discussed in this podcast, please contact us via social media. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EPPGroup Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eppgroup Twitter: https://twitter.com/eppgroup

Russia's invasion of Ukraine is speeding up what the EU has been trying to do for a long time: building a common defence. In this episode, MEPs Sara Skyttedal and Michael Gahler discuss how the EU is buying and building more weapons together to arm Ukraine, with a programme they negotiated in the European Parliament called EDIRPA – European Defence Industry through Common Procurement Act. The aim is to increase interoperability, boost innovation and jobs in Europe and save money through economies of scale. Don't miss it! If you have a topic you would like to hear discussed in this podcast, please get in touch via social media. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EPPGroup Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eppgroup Twitter: https://twitter.com/eppgroup

Lithium, graphite, cobalt, and nickel are just a few from the long list of Critical Raw Materials essential to today's technology and industry. They are needed for batteries, robotics, solar and wind power. According to current assessments, by 2040, we will need six times more of these minerals than today. But Europe doesn't have many of them; we depend on getting them elsewhere. So where do we get them? And how? In this episode, we talk to MEPs Hildegard Bentele and Tom Berendsen regarding the upcoming EU strategy on this subject. We also discuss the Critical Raw Materials Act. Don't miss it! If you have a topic you would like to hear discussed in this podcast, please get in touch via social media. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EPPGroup Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eppgroup Twitter: https://twitter.com/eppgroup

25 years of intercultural and interreligious dialogue in the EPP Group. That's what this episode is all about, marking a quarter century of bringing Europe's faiths together. As we'll hear from religious leaders and MEPs, it's helped in the healing after the Balkan wars, after terror attacks, and in shaping the Future of Europe. We talked to our MEPs as well as leaders of different religious communities. Don't miss it! And if you have a topic you would like to hear discussed in this podcast, please get in touch via social media. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EPPGroup Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eppgroup Twitter: https://twitter.com/eppgroup

In a moving tribute to the victims of Soviet deportations, EPP Group MEPs join with victims and their relatives as well as a Ukrainian diplomat in the European Parliament to mark the Kremlin’s atrocities then and now. In this podcast, we hear the stories of how Stalin deported tens of thousands of East Europans to Siberia during and after World War II. And the shocking parallel with Putin’s ethnic cleansing of families during his invasion of Ukraine today. With calls for a monument to remember the horrors and to press ahead toward victory against Russia’s invasion. Tune in! And if you have a topic you would like to hear discussed in this podcast, please get in touch via social media. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EPPGroup Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eppgroup Twitter: https://twitter.com/eppgroup

Recently, the Europol and Eurojust, in cooperation with several national authorities, cracked an international drug trafficking ring, allegedly led by the Italian Ndrangheta. 31 suspects were arrested, 3,8 million were seized. But this is only a drop in the bucket. The statistics show that only about 2% of proceeds from organised crime are frozen, and only 1% is confiscated. How can we do better? The EPP Group has proposed 50 actions to combat organised crime. We discussed them in this episode with MEPs Tomas Tobe and Jeroen Lenaers, both in the EP's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs. Don't miss it! And if you have a topic you would like to hear discussed in this podcast, please get in touch via social media. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EPPGroup Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eppgroup Twitter: https://twitter.com/eppgroup

The nature of labour market is changing significantly, many new skills will be needed, but we also see a gap in the market regarding some existing skills and professions. It's only logical to ask - is Europe's workforce future-proof? What are the skills that will be needed, and who should gain those skills? We discussed this topic in our latest episode with MEPs Dennis Radtke and Lidia Pereira, joined by Eoin Drea of the Martens Centre. Don’t miss it! And if you have a topic you would like to hear discussed in this podcast, please get in touch via social media. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EPPGroup Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eppgroup Twitter: https://twitter.com/eppgroup

About one in five children in Europe are victims of some form of sexual violence. That violence extends to the online world. In this episode we discussed how we can prevent online sexual abuse of children. How can we protect the young ones? How can we create a safer online environment for the new generations? Our guests: - MEP Javier Zarzalejos, rapporteur on the proposal for the Regulation to prevent and combat child sexual abuse; - Jean-Philippe Lecouffe, deputy executive director of Europol; - Antonio Labrador Jimenez, EU Commission's team leader on the fight against child sexual abuse. We want to inform our listeners in advance that although we approach this topic with great sensitivity, there may be discussions that could potentially evoke strong emotional responses with some of our listeners. If you have a topic you would like to hear discussed in this podcast, please get in touch via social media. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EPPGroup Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eppgroup Twitter: https://twitter.com/eppgroup