Talking Europe

As Russian military movements close to the Ukrainian border continue to be a major global concern, the President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola tells FRANCE 24 she is doubtful about Moscow's claims that its troops are moving away from the frontier. The top EU lawmaker reaffirms that "if the escalation occurs, the European Parliament would align with other institutions to ensure concrete, swift and effective action".

Just over a year after Brexit became a practical reality, the Northern Ireland Assembly is in crisis after its First Minister resigned in protest at the Northern Ireland Protocol of the Brexit deal. Ireland's Europe Minister Thomas Byrne tells FRANCE 24 the departure of Paul Givan "has caused deep difficulties within the government system in Northern Ireland", and that the situation is "very very worrying". Byrne asserts that the Northern Ireland Protocol is "potentially the best of both worlds" for businesses there, and that despite calls from Unionist politicians, "the Protocol is staying".

Just over a year after Brexit became a practical reality, the Northern Ireland Assembly is in crisis after its First Minister resigned in protest at the Northern Ireland Protocol of the Brexit deal. Ireland's Europe Minister Thomas Byrne tells FRANCE 24 the departure of Paul Givan "has caused deep difficulties within the government system in Northern Ireland", and that the situation is "very very worrying". Byrne asserts that the Northern Ireland Protocol is "potentially the best of both worlds" for businesses there, and that despite calls from Unionist politicians, "the Protocol is staying".

Just over a year after Brexit became a practical reality, the Northern Ireland Assembly is in crisis after its First Minister resigned in protest at the Northern Ireland Protocol of the Brexit deal. Ireland's Europe Minister Thomas Byrne tells FRANCE 24 the departure of Paul Givan "has caused deep difficulties within the government system in Northern Ireland", and that the situation is "very very worrying". Byrne asserts that the Northern Ireland Protocol is "potentially the best of both worlds" for businesses there, and that despite calls from Unionist politicians, "the Protocol is staying".

On February 17 and 18, the EU is inviting African Union heads of state to Brussels for a summit. In this debate at the European Parliament, we lift the lid on Europe’s relationship with its African partners and ask what the EU-AU summit might achieve. Major areas of focus at the event will include development, visas and education exchanges, as well as the particularly pressing questions of security and migration. This all comes against a backdrop of postcolonial relationships and contemporary rivalries for influence in Africa with the likes of China, Russia and Turkey. French President Emmanuel Macron says it's a chance to found an "economic new deal and finance Africa", adding that the two continents' relationship has become, in his words, "a little tired".

On February 17 and 18, the EU is inviting African Union heads of state to Brussels for a summit. In this debate at the European Parliament, we lift the lid on Europe’s relationship with its African partners and ask what the EU-AU summit might achieve. Major areas of focus at the event will include development, visas and education exchanges, as well as the particularly pressing questions of security and migration. This all comes against a backdrop of postcolonial relationships and contemporary rivalries for influence in Africa with the likes of China, Russia and Turkey. French President Emmanuel Macron says it's a chance to found an "economic new deal and finance Africa", adding that the two continents' relationship has become, in his words, "a little tired".

On February 17 and 18, the EU is inviting African Union heads of state to Brussels for a summit. In this debate at the European Parliament, we lift the lid on Europe’s relationship with its African partners and ask what the EU-AU summit might achieve. Major areas of focus at the event will include development, visas and education exchanges, as well as the particularly pressing questions of security and migration. This all comes against a backdrop of postcolonial relationships and contemporary rivalries for influence in Africa with the likes of China, Russia and Turkey. French President Emmanuel Macron says it's a chance to found an "economic new deal and finance Africa", adding that the two continents' relationship has become, in his words, "a little tired".

With concern still high over a potential war between Russia and Ukraine, NATO's deputy secretary general spoke to FRANCE 24. Mircea Geoana told our Europe editor Catherine Nicholson: "NATO will not get involved militarily in Ukraine – we support Ukraine in many other ways, individual allies support Ukraine. And in order to deter Russia from doing that ... is to really demonstrate to the leadership in the Kremlin that in a cost-benefit analysis, an additional military intervention in Ukraine is a net loss for Russia."

With concern still high over a potential war between Russia and Ukraine, NATO's deputy secretary general spoke to FRANCE 24. Mircea Geoana told our Europe editor Catherine Nicholson: "NATO will not get involved militarily in Ukraine – we support Ukraine in many other ways, individual allies support Ukraine. And in order to deter Russia from doing that ... is to really demonstrate to the leadership in the Kremlin that in a cost-benefit analysis, an additional military intervention in Ukraine is a net loss for Russia."

With concern still high over a potential war between Russia and Ukraine, NATO's deputy secretary general spoke to FRANCE 24. Mircea Geoana told our Europe editor Catherine Nicholson: "NATO will not get involved militarily in Ukraine – we support Ukraine in many other ways, individual allies support Ukraine. And in order to deter Russia from doing that ... is to really demonstrate to the leadership in the Kremlin that in a cost-benefit analysis, an additional military intervention in Ukraine is a net loss for Russia."