Description
Added on the 02/03/2020 13:28:59 - Copyright : AFPTV - First images
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen and Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni visit Lampedusa following a recent surge in migrant arrivals to the small Italian island. During her visit, von der Leyen said irregular migration was a "European challenge" needing a "European answer", offering a 10-point plan to help Rome deal with the crisis. This week a record of around 8,500 people -- more than the island's entire local population -- have arrived in around 200 boats, according to the UN migration agency. IMAGES
The European Union will provide Greece "all the necessary operational support" to help tackle the migration surge from neighbouring Turkey, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says. The EU dispatched its highest officials to Turkey and Greece amid concern over a fresh migrant crisis and allegations that Ankara was trying to "blackmail" the bloc by opening its borders to thousands of refugees seeking to flee to Europe. IMAGES
The current President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, addresses the European Parliament. The MEPs then vote on whether or not to grant her a second term. SOUNDBITE
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen recommends the bloc drop a plan to cut pesticide use in agriculture as a concession to protesting European farmers. The original proposal, put forward by her European Commission as part of the European Union's green transition, "has become a symbol of polarisation," she tells the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France. SOUNDBITE
European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen arrives at Brdo Congress Centre, Ljubljana, Slovenia and is welcomed by Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob ahead of their meeting. Slovenia, an EU member, has asked for help from the bloc, seeking in particular heavy machinery such as excavators and prefabricated temporary bridges to deal with the aftermath of torrential rains and severe flooding that has left at least six people dead. IMAGES