12 Minutes With - The Europe Interview

Carlos Cuerpo, Spain’s economy minister, discusses how Spain has emerged as the eurozone's fastest-growing economy. He emphasizes the importance of structural reforms and highlights the positive role of migration in boosting economic growth. Cuerpo points out Spain's expansion beyond tourism into high-value services and a thriving startup scene. He also addresses the impact of EU recovery funds on digital and green investments, arguing for a more ambitious EU budget to support further growth.

Teresa Anjinho, the European Ombudswoman, focuses on transparency and accountability, having previously served as Portugal's Justice Minister. She discusses ongoing probes into the EU, including the investigation into von der Leyen's messages. Anjinho emphasizes the importance of managing decision-making documents and urges improvements in the Commission's transparency practices. She highlights risks to the EU's reputation from procurement controversies and advocates for a more open selection process for key positions, aiming to restore citizen trust in EU institutions.

Ine Van Wymersch, Belgium's first national drugs commissioner, tackles the pressing issue of drug-related violence and the potential threat of Belgium becoming a narco-state. She discusses rising concerns over synthetic opioids in vapes, highlighting the dangers they pose to youth. Ine emphasizes the need for international cooperation to disrupt cocaine trafficking and calls out the risks that encrypted apps pose for law enforcement. With a background in juvenile justice, she advocates for mental health investment and proactive strategies to prevent youth gang recruitment.

His country has been in the EU accession waiting room for 25 years and has seen little progress. Prime Minister of North Macedonia Hristijan Mickoski joins this latest episode of 12 Minutes With to discuss what he refers to as artificial disputes holding his country back, and the impact this has on the country's population. This interview was conducted during Euronews’ Enlargement Summit on 4 November. Find out more about the event on euronews.com  A series of in-depth interviews with influential Europeans—spanning politics, business, science, technology, and the environment—who are shaping the future of the continent. Each episode explores the key challenges and opportunities facing Europe today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nine countries are candidates to join the European Union, but one is ahead in the race: Montenegro. The country of just over 600,000 people is aiming to wrap up accession talks next year and join the bloc as early as January 2028. Deputy Prime Minister Filip Ivanović explains why the EU could pay a "huge" geopolitical cost and risk "losing credibility" if it fails to welcome Montenegro, and urges Brussels to show other countries working to become EU-ready that their efforts are not in vain.This interview was conducted during Euronews’ Enlargement Summit on 4 November. Find out more about the event on euronews.comA series of in-depth interviews with influential Europeans—spanning politics, business, science, technology, and the environment—who are shaping the future of the continent. Each episode explores the key challenges and opportunities facing Europe today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

He's known for his witty comebacks, and is widely considered one of Europe's most colourful leaders — traits he hopes will propel Albania on the path to EU membership. Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama joins this latest edition of 12 Minutes With to talk about pushing for reforms to accelerate its EU accession, his pregnant AI minister, who is at the heart of these talks, and his next creative idea. This interview was conducted during Euronews’ Enlargement Summit on 4 November. Find out more about the event on euronews.com A series of in-depth interviews with influential Europeans—spanning politics, business, science, technology, and the environment—who are shaping the future of the continent. Each episode explores the key challenges and opportunities facing Europe today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Smuggler balloons were reported in the Lithuanian airspace in the wake of drones violating European airspace. Can they be considered Russian-backed hybrid attacks? How should the EU and NATO respond?  Lithuanian Foreign Affairs Minister Kęstutis Budrys joins Maria Tadeo for an exclusive interview on recent activities on Europe's Eastern flank.A series of in-depth interviews with influential Europeans—spanning politics, business, science, technology, and the environment—who are shaping the future of the continent. Each episode explores the key challenges and opportunities facing Europe today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Romania is on the frontline of Russia's hybrid war, grappling with drone incursions, TikTok bots and cyber warfare. The country's foreign minister explains why enlarging the EU is a pressing priority faced with Moscow's tactics.A series of in-depth interviews with influential Europeans—spanning politics, business, science, technology, and the environment—who are shaping the future of the continent. Each episode explores the key challenges and opportunities facing Europe today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How can international development banks support the future recovery of war-ravaged Ukraine and Gaza? And will these multilateral institutions survive in the age of protectionism, geopolitical tensions and sweeping cuts to foreign aid? The president of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) sits down to discuss with Euronews.A series of in-depth interviews with influential Europeans—spanning politics, business, science, technology, and the environment—who are shaping the future of the continent. Each episode explores the key challenges and opportunities facing Europe today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.