Europe Rendezvous

FRANCE 24 English
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We take you to the 27 EU member states for a series of exclusive reports and interviews with national and local players, including MEPs. Produced in partnership with the European Union. Saturday at 7:10pm and 7:40pm.

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    Warning: French regions at risk! Part 1: Corsica

    France is a poor performer when it comes to cohesion in Europe and is marked by growing regional inequalities, despite being allocated a whopping €18 billion in EU cohesion funding for 2021-2027. Numerous regions risk falling into a "development trap": after a period of growth, they stagnate or even decline, having invested in sectors with little long-term potential. In this first part of the show examining EU cohesion policy, we're on the French island of Corsica. Demographic growth, but economic lethargy  Corsica has a population of 260,000. To counter the disadvantages that come with being an island, the European Union has allocated €117 million in cohesion funding between 2021 and 2027. Corsica has a strong identity and distinct culture within France, but its challenge is to develop and innovate without relying too heavily on tourism. We meet those who are driving change on the Isle of Beauty. For example, the EU financed the acquisition of special tanks to help fight the forest fires that have ravaged the island in recent years. Armen Georgian interviews Captain Stéphane Gherardi from the Corsican Fire and Rescue Service. We also visit INRAE, the National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment – where the iconic Corsican clementine fruit reigns supreme – alongside Marie-Antoinette Maupertuis, president of the Corsican Assembly. We then head to the Stella Mare platform, which specialises in marine and coastal engineering. We learn how to handle endangered sea urchins with Emmanuelle de Gentili, the first deputy mayor of the city of Bastia. She is concerned that a planned centralisation of EU funds will sideline Corsica and undermine its ability to attract the kind of projects that it needs. In our reports: Renaud Lefort analyses the impact of European funds on economic growth and highlights the challenges of using those funds effectively in Corsica.  Luke Brown looks at the renovation of public lighting in Corsica, with 52,000 light points financed by the EU. Better lighting also means a clearer night sky, as Corsica seeks to obtain the International Dark Sky Reserve (IDSR) label. Editor-in-Chief: Caroline de Camaret Presented by Armen Georgian Visual direction, Camera: Stéphane Bodenne et Renaud Lefort Reports: Luke Brown et Renaud Lefort Special thanks to Emergency Response Service (Upper Corsica), Bastia Tourist Office, Simone Riolacci (INRAE), Laura Casanova, Sylvain Alessandri (Corsica Tourist Office), Paula Monestié-Andreani (Stella Mare). "Europe Rendezvous" is a magazine programme broadcast on FRANCE 24 in French and English, on YouTube and on france24.com. Watch moreWarning: French regions at risk! Part 2: Creuse

    18 min

  2. 1 DAY AGO

    Warning: French regions at risk! Part 2: Creuse

    France is a poor performer when it comes to cohesion in Europe and is marked by growing regional inequalities, despite being allocated a whopping €18 billion in EU cohesion funding for 2021-2027. Numerous regions risk falling into a "development trap": after a period of growth, they stagnate or even decline, having invested in sectors with little long-term potential. In this second part of the show examing EU cohesion policy, we're in the central French department of the Creuse. Repopulating the Creuse through European projects  With 115,000 inhabitants, the Creuse is one of the least populated and poorest departments in France. The EU provides significant support to this rural area through the Common Agricultural Policy, as well as €12 million in cohesion funding (2021-2027). Yet that's only a tiny fraction of the overall cohesion money that goes to the broader region of Nouvelle-Aquitaine. What's more, there's a lack of project leaders locally, and the "development trap" is being felt – perhaps with the exception of the more dynamic cultural sector. We meet British artist Helen Burgoyne, who finds it challenging sell her art in one the least well connected areas of France. We take a walk through the Valley of the Painters with Pierre Veysseix, the local head of tourism and heritage sites. From 1850 to 1920, this area attracted many artists and cultural figures, including Claude Monet, George Sand and Frédéric Chopin. At the Monet-Rollinat centre, we join Laurence Rouède, vice-president of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. We ask her if the Creuse department is the great forgotten territory of France's largest region. Finally, we visit the International Tapestry Centre of Aubusson. A cultural jewel of the region, it has benefited from European funding to help weave large tapestries inspired by the works of JRR Tolkien and Hayao Miyazaki. Valérie Simonet, president of the Creuse department and of the International Tapestry Centre, describes European support as a very positive force. In our reports: Renaud Lefort focuses on very small and medium-sized enterprises trying to grow thanks to European funds. In rural areas, some projects exist only because of the EU.  Luke Brown explores the EU-funded timber industry. The establishment of a new wood pellet factory has sparked strong opposition: environmental groups are outraged, but some mayors are highly supportive. Editor-in-Chief: Caroline de Camaret Presented by Armen Georgian Visual direction and camera: Stéphane Bodenne et Renaud Lefort Reports : Luke Brown et Renaud Lefort Special thanks to Creuse Tourist Office, Héloïse Gorse Fénelon (Aubusson International Tapestry Centre), Rachid Belhadj (Media relations, Nouvelle-Aquitaine region). “Europe Rendezvous” is a magazine programme broadcast on FRANCE 24 in French and English, on YouTube and on france24.com. Watch moreWarning: French regions at risk! Part 1: Corsica

    18 min

  3. 26/12/2025

    Denmark: An open economy, but a closed immigration system (part 2)

    FRANCE 24 heads north to the kingdom of Denmark. The Scandinavian country has been in the spotlight this year, holding the rotating presidency of the European Council from July to December and pushing forward its priorities such as migration and the energy transition – topics that we dive into in this show. In this second part of the programme, our focus is on Denmark's economy. Denmark used to be a Eurosceptic country, voting against the Maastricht Treaty and opting out of the single currency. Denmark was also traditionally thought of as a "frugal" member of the EU when it came to common expenditure. But all this has changed with the war in Ukraine and the long shadow that Russia casts over the Baltic and Nordic regions.  Denmark's stated priority for its presidency of the EU in 2025 is "A Competitive and Green Europe". Combining those two objectives has arguably become a strength for the kingdom, as it has long been a pioneer in green energy. Wind power, especially offshore, produces over 50 percent of the country's electricity needs. Danish Green MEP Rasmus Nordqvist joins us as we visit an iconic wind farm just off the coast of the capital Copenhagen. Despite its small size, Denmark is also a major player when it comes to agriculture – especially on intensive farming. Here again it's a pioneer, becoming the first country in the world to tax livestock methane emissions, also known as a flatulence tax. Our team visit a dairy farm in Jutland to see the impact there. Economically, Denmark has historically been export-oriented: its modest population and its maritime history mean it has long been outward facing when it comes to trade. Our team heads to the country's second-biggest container port at Fredericia, to discuss the effects of US President Donald Trump's and China's international tariffs. We meet MEP Niels Flemming Hansen, from the conservative European People's Party. Finally, we tackle another key issue: Greenland. It's an autonomous territory in Denmark with a significant independence movement, and its strategic location and its natural resources make it a tempting target for the US president. Greenland was thrust into the international spotlight earlier this year because of Trump's sudden interest in the territory. Our team interview Jens Heinrich, the head of Greenland's representation in Denmark. Read more'Greenland is not for sale': French foreign minister visits Arctic territory in show of solidarity From Danish design and from pharma to farmers, our reporter Luke Brown visits some of the most emblematic sectors of the Danish economy, to gauge the impact of the global economic headwinds. Show presented by Armen Georgian, produced by Charlotte Prudhomme, filmed on location by Charlotte Prudhomme and Stéphane Bodenne, with Luke Brown. Editor-in-chief: Caroline de Camaret.

    18 min

  4. 26/12/2025

    Denmark: An open economy, but a closed immigration system (part 1)

    FRANCE 24 heads north to the kingdom of Denmark. The Scandinavian country has been in the spotlight this year, holding the rotating presidency of the European Council from July to December and pushing forward its priorities such as migration and the energy transition – topics that we dive into in this show. In this first part of the programme, our focus is on defence and migration. Denmark used to be a Eurosceptic country, voting against the Maastricht Treaty and opting out of the single currency. Denmark was also traditionally thought of as a "frugal" member of the EU when it came to common expenditure. But all this has changed with the war in Ukraine and the long shadow that Russia casts over the Baltic and Nordic regions.  We take a closer look at one of the key priorities of Denmark's EU presidency: Europe's defence policy, in an era marked by the US retreat from Europe and Russia's increasingly aggressive posture. Indeed, Denmark has been dealing with a series of drone incursions over its territory. To discuss these issues, our team meets with one of the vice-presidents of the European Parliament, Danish MEP Christel Schaldemose from the Socialists and Democrats, as well as with the head of the Danish Defence Intelligence Service, Thomas Ahrenkiel. Read moreDenmark drone incursions: All signs point to Russia? We also illuminate a specifically Danish phenomenon: a left-leaning, Social Democratic-led government that pursues a very hard line on migration and asylum. It's a strategy that seems to be gaining ground in the EU. This December, EU member states gave the green light to tightening immigration policy, including the setting up of controversial "return hubs" outside the bloc. At home, Denmark's move to crack down on what the government calls "parallel societies" has faced accusations that it discriminates against people of migrant heritage. To discuss these questions, we meet with former Renew MEP Karen Melchior from the European think tank CEPS (Centre for European Policy Studies), and we visit Nørrebro, a multicultural district of Copenhagen, where we watch local football team Nørrebro United. Our reporter Charlotte Prudhomme investigates the impact of fake news in Denmark, and the efforts being made to counter them. And our reporter Luke Brown meets the people most affected by Denmark’s hard line on immigration: two young women who fled Syria a decade ago. We discuss how they cope with the uncertainty of not knowing if they'll be able to stay in Denmark. Show presented by Armen Georgian, produced by Charlotte Prudhomme, filmed on location by Charlotte Prudhomme and Stéphane Bodenne, with Luke Brown. Editor-in-chief: Caroline de Camaret.

    18 min

  5. 17/10/2025

    EU solidarity in the Azores: Miracle or mirage? (part 1)

    Europe Rendezvous brings you a special programme from the Azores, a beautiful and remote archipelago in the Atlantic. The dramatic volcanic islands constitute an Autonomous Region of Portugal, and also an Outermost Region of the EU. That means their relatively small population of around 240,000 inhabitants receives outsized help from the EU – about €160 million in cohesion funds every year. Despite that investment, the Azores' GDP in 2023 was lower than it was in the 2000s. So how much have EU funds actually helped to level up this distant territory? Admittedly, tourism has boosted the local economy in the post-Covid period, and a major pull for tourists is Gorreana, the only functioning tea plantation in Europe. We meet the owners and speak to João Teixeira, an economist at the University of the Azores, about the role of tourism and EU funds on the islands. We also interview the president of the autonomous government of the Azores, José Manuel Bolieiro, who opposes the EU Commission's plans to centralise the management of cohesion funds. Our reporters Renaud Lefort and Charlotte Prudhomme take a look at the battle for the EU budget in Brussels and how that could impact Outermost Regions. And our chief reporter Luke Brown looks at something particularly important for life on an island over 1,400 kilometres from mainland Europe: just what to do with all the waste. He zooms in on the clean-up of the beaches where so much marine litter washes up, because of the Azores' position in the middle of so many Atlantic currents. Watch moreEU solidarity in the Azores: Miracle or mirage? (part 2) Show presented by Armen Georgian, produced by Renaud Lefort, filmed on location by Renaud Lefort and Stéphane Bodenne, with Luke Brown. Video editing: Aude Richelet, Joël Procope, Gilles Terrier, Aurélien Porcher, Lucille Latour. Editor-in-chief: Caroline de Camaret. Special thanks to Terra Azul, Anne-Marie Brossard, Visit Azores, Regional Secretariat for the Sea and Fisheries, Rui Martins,  The Ocean Azores Media House, Azores Regional Government, João Inocêncio Gomes Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the DG Regional and Urban Policy. Neither the European Union nor the DG Regional and Urban Policy can be held responsible for them.

    18 min

  6. 17/10/2025

    EU solidarity in the Azores: Miracle or mirage? (part 2)

    Europe Rendezvous brings you a special programme from the Azores, a beautiful and remote archipelago in the Atlantic. The dramatic volcanic islands constitute an Autonomous Region of Portugal, and also an Outermost Region of the EU. That means their relatively small population of around 240,000 inhabitants receives outsized help from the EU – about €160 million in cohesion funds every year. In this second part of the show, we focus on what is all around the Azores: the Atlantic Ocean. In 2024, the Azores implemented the Marine Protected Area, which protects almost 300,000 square kilometres, or 30 percent of the water that surrounds the islands. It means that fishing is banned in certain zones. We speak with MEP Paulo do Nascimento Cabral, one of the legislators for the European Ocean Pact. We are lucky enough to get a glimpse of an animal that is at the meeting point between sustainable tourism and the Blue Economy of the Azores – the local whales – as we join a tour company that has used EU funds to finance its new fleet of electric vessels, thus reducing the carbon footprint of whale-watching. Our senior reporter Luke Brown visits the most distant of the Azorean islands, Flores, where just this year, work began to repair the harbour destroyed by Hurricane Lorenzo in 2019. EU funds are set to finance 85 percent of the total rebuilding cost of €197 million. Luke Brown also investigates regional efforts to reduce brain drain and provide incentives for young people to stay on the islands. He visits the School of the Sea, which trains young Azoreans in all types of maritime careers, thanks to EU funds. We discuss brain drain and updating the "rent-seeking" economy of the past with MEP Ana Vasconcelos, at the emblematic Nonagon Science and Technology Park. Finally, the Azores have the perfect climate to raise dairy cows, and they account for over 35 percent of Portugal's entire dairy production. We meet with a local farmer, who shows us her "happy cows", which are free to roam outside every day of the year! Watch moreEU solidarity in the Azores: Miracle or mirage? (part 1) Show presented by Armen Georgian, produced by Renaud Lefort, filmed on location by Renaud Lefort and Stéphane Bodenne, with Luke Brown. Video editing: Aude Richelet, Joël Procope, Gilles Terrier, Aurélien Porcher, Lucille Latour. Editor-in-chief: Caroline de Camaret. Special thanks to Terra Azul, Anne-Marie Brossard, Visit Azores, Regional Secretariat for the Sea and Fisheries, Rui Martins, The Ocean Azores Media House, Azores Regional Government, João Inocêncio Gomes Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the DG Regional and Urban Policy. Neither the European Union nor the DG Regional and Urban Policy can be held responsible for them.

    17 min

  7. 23/02/2024

    Ukraine: A nation at war, yet firmly on the path to EU membership (part 1)

    Europe Now brings you a special programme from Kyiv to mark the second anniversary of full-scale war in Ukraine. The fighting has killed and injured hundreds of thousands of people and left around a fifth of Ukrainian territory under Russian control, but this has not deterred Kyiv from seeking full membership of the European Union. In this first part of the show, we focus on Ukraine's reforms and its cultural heritage. In December, Ukraine received a crucial signal from the EU, when the 27 member states agreed to start accession talks with Kyiv. And in February, a compromise was reached with Hungary to unblock a €50 billion financial support package for Ukraine. Throughout the war, and even before, the EU has been a crucial partner, providing at least €85 billion in aid to Ukraine. In part one of this special programme, we visit Ukraine's premier innovation park, Unit City, where we meet Olha Stefanishyna, the country's deputy prime minister for European and Euro-Atlantic integration. She outlines the current state of play on Ukraine's EU reforms and tells us what she now expects from the European Commission in order to take things further. We also tour the war-damaged Khanenko museum in Kyiv and discuss the impact of the war on Ukrainian culture with the country's most celebrated novelist, Andrey Kurkov. He describes how, despite the destruction of cultural heritage and all the horrors associated with that, the international visibility of Ukraine's culture has grown significantly. In our motion design segment, Sophie Samaille recaps the various EU funding programmes that have been deployed in Ukraine. Our reporter Luke Brown looks at EU-funded projects for Ukraine: from long-standing efforts to help "level up" Ukraine with EU Cohesion funds, to the more recent – and all the more urgent – efforts to help Ukraine rebuild homes and schools damaged by the Russian invasion, even as the war rages on. Watch moreUkraine: A nation at war, yet firmly on the path to EU membership (part 2) Show presented by Armen Georgian, produced by Johan Bodin, filmed on location by Johan Bodin and Stéphane Bodenne, with Luke Brown. Video editing: Gilles Terrie, Joël Procope, Aude Richelet. Editor-in-chief: Caroline de Camaret. Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the DG Regional and Urban Policy. Neither the European Union nor the DG Regional and Urban Policy can be held responsible for them.

    18 min

  8. 23/02/2024

    Ukraine: A nation at war, yet firmly on the path to EU membership (part 2)

    Europe Now brings you a special programme from Kyiv to mark the second anniversary of full-scale war in Ukraine. The fighting has killed and injured hundreds of thousands of people and left around a fifth of Ukrainian territory under Russian control, but this has not deterred Kyiv from seeking full membership of the European Union. In this second part of the show, we focus on the reconstruction of the country. In December, Ukraine received a crucial signal from the EU, when the 27 member states agreed to start accession talks with Kyiv. And in February, a compromise was reached with Hungary to unblock a €50 billion financial support package for Ukraine. Throughout the war, and even before, the EU has been a crucial partner, providing at least €85 billion in aid to Ukraine. In part two of this special programme, we travel to the northern suburbs of Kyiv that were hit especially hard in the first weeks of Russia's onslaught – Bucha, Hostomel and Irpin. We look at concrete examples of reconstruction and EU aid to small and medium-sized businesses, such as the Dim bakery in Bucha, which recently won a grant from the EU and is managed by refugees from eastern Ukraine. We discuss the importance of such projects with senior representatives from the EU delegation in Ukraine, Iryna Hubarets and Alberto Fernandez-Diez. We also visit the town of Borodyanka, which was devastated in February-March 2022, with around 1,500 buildings damaged. In the new administrative services centre, financed by the UN and the EU, we meet Liudmyla Buimister, an independent MP in the Ukrainian parliament. We discuss rebuilding plans, EU-aligned reforms of local government and her hopes for Ukraine's anti-corruption efforts. In our motion design segment, Sophie Samaille looks at the ripples of the Ukraine war in the EU, particularly the cost-of-living crisis, and how EU funds – including cohesion – are being used to counter inflation. Our reporter Luke Brown examines how EU cohesion funding is supporting Ukrainians in Poland, and takes a look at how fears of "social dumping" – or cheaper Ukrainian labour costs – are being felt in the vital road haulage sector; fears which led to a months-long blockade of the two countries' road border. Read moreUkraine: A nation at war, yet firmly on the path to EU membership (part 1) Show presented by Armen Georgian, produced by Johan Bodin, filmed on location by Johan Bodin and Stéphane Bodenne, with Luke Brown. Editor-in-chief: Caroline de Camaret.  Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the DG Regional and Urban Policy. Neither the European Union nor the DG Regional and Urban Policy can be held responsible for them.

    18 min
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We take you to the 27 EU member states for a series of exclusive reports and interviews with national and local players, including MEPs. Produced in partnership with the European Union. Saturday at 7:10pm and 7:40pm.

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