12 Minutes With - The Europe Interview
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.
Episodes
European Space Agency chief Josef Aschbacher | Increased threats in space expected
The European Space Agency's chief Josef Aschbacher joins 12 Minutes With to discuss rocket explosions, UFO sightings and when we can expect to see the next European astronaut on the moon.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 challenge
Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand | EU-Canada ties not 'just a policy response'
Her country is moving closer to Europe in a bid to reduce its reliance on the US. Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand joins 12 Minutes with to discuss why Ottawa's deepening of ties with the EU is not merely a response to US President Donald Trump's policies, Canada's latest sanctions on Russia and her expectations for the upcoming NATO summit. A series of in-depth intervi
Former Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin | Russia is threat beyond eastern front
Sanna Marin, former Prime Minister of Finland, joins 12 Minutes With to discuss why Orbán's defeat in Hungary opens doors for EU decision-making, EU and Ukraine’s deepening interdependence and why the EU should develop its own nuclear deterrence.A series of in-depth interviews with influential Europeans—spanning politics, business, science, technology, and the environment—who are shaping the futur
Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organisation Arsenio Dominguez | ‘No country has the right to block the Strait of Hormuz’
Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organisation Arsenio Dominguez joins 12 Minutes With to unpack the fallout from US President Donald Trump’s recent blockade of Iranian ports, how the conflict is already reaching consumers' wallets and if the conflict will turn into a long-term economic war. A series of in-depth interviews with influential Europeans—spanning politics, busi
UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock | Ongoing wars are not UN failure
President of the UN General Assembly Annalena Baerbock joins 12 Minutes with at a time when the organisation is facing mounting problems. She responds to criticism of what critics perceive as the institution's weakness, its planned reform and why a united EU is key to the UN's success. A series of in-depth interviews with influential Europeans—spanning politics, business, science, technology,
UN Humanitarian Chief Tom Fletcher | Challenging cuts and spillover of crisis
UN Humanitarian Chief Tom Fletcher joins 12 Minutes with as the Middle East conflict enters its third week. He discusses the anticipated spillover of refugees to Europe, why he does not see the Board of Peace as a threat to the UN, and the precarious task facing peacekeepers.A series of in-depth interviews with influential Europeans—spanning politics, business, science, technology, and the environ
Gérard Araud | Former French Ambassador to the US
Former French ambassador to the US, Gérard Araud, joins 12 Minutes With to explain why he thinks Trump will "chicken out" on Iran, criticism of Commissioner President Ursula von der Leyen exceeding her mandate on the conflict and the EU's divided response.A series of in-depth interviews with influential Europeans—spanning politics, business, science, technology, and the environment—who are shaping
Former CIA chief David Petraeus | Could Trump accept reformed regime leadership in Iran?
He has been hailed as the world's leading expert in counterinsurgency warfare. Former CIA Director and retired US Army General David Petraeus joins 12 Minutes With to discuss the US' objectives in the Iran war, the chances of a pragmatic leader emerging from the Iranian regime and the "catastrophically bad" decisions made in Iraq at the start of the century.A series of in-depth interviews wit
Swedish Foreign Affairs Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard | ‘Frustated’ with Hungary’s blocking of Ukraine aid
Her country is one of Ukraine’s main allies, contributing some €12 billion to Kyiv since the invasion in 2022.Swedish Foreign Affairs Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard joins 12 Minutes With to discuss another Hungarian veto to block support to Ukraine, Europe's plan to fast-track Ukraine’s membership and her country’s decision not to join US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace.A series of in-de
Romanian Finance Minister Alexandru Nazare | Club of economic elites 'could be very good for EU'
He is leading efforts to bring down his country’s budget deficit — the highest in the EU. Romanian Finance Minister Alexandru Nazare joins 12 Minutes with to discuss joint debt to boost innovation, his support for a push to buy European and more.A series of in-depth interviews with influential Europeans—spanning politics, business, science, technology, and the environment—who are shaping the
Council of Europe chief Alain Berset | We should not be politically pressured
The Council of Europe Secretary General, Alain Berset, joins 12 Minutes With to discuss why reinterpreting the European Convention on Human Rights could be a slippery slope, how Europe can reaffirm its values in a chaotic world and address thousands of human rights violations in Ukraine.A series of in-depth interviews with influential Europeans—spanning politics, business, science, technology, and
Greenland’s Mining Minister Naaja Nathanielsen | ‘We are a country in our own right’
Greenland’s Mining Minister Naaja Nathanielsen joins 12 Minutes With to break down impending discussions with the US, Denmark and NATO, and developing Greenland’s highly sought-after mineral resources. 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 explor
Former US National Security Adviser John Bolton | EU should work with US on Iran
He went from working for President Donald Trump to becoming his staunchest critic. John Bolton, former National Security Advisor during Trump's first term, joins 12 Minutes With to discuss a possible US military intervention in Iran, why discussions over Greenland could signify the end of NATO and his ranking of Trump's current foreign policy.A series of in-depth interviews with influential E
Belgian Migration Minister Anneleen Van Bossuyt | Belgium 'no longer land of milk and honey'
She has been tasked with implementing her country's strictest asylum and migration policy to date. Belgian Migration Minister Anneleen Van Bossuyt joins 12 Minutes With to discuss efforts to strike a deal on returns with the Taliban, what will make or break the EU's Migration Pact and sending foreign prisoners abroad. A series of in-depth interviews with influential Europeans—spanning po
Danish European Affairs Minister Marie Bjerre | Circumventing the Hungarian veto
Danish Europe Minister Marie Bjerre joins 12 Minutes With to unpack a new plan to circumvent Hungary's veto on Ukraine’s accession bid, the key wins of the Danish EU Presidency and Copenhagen's transformation from migration outlier to European example.A series of in-depth interviews with influential Europeans—spanning politics, business, science, technology, and the environment—who are shaping the
Spanish Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo | How did Spain become the eurozone's fastest-growing economy?
Spain's economy minister Carlos Cuerpo joins 12 Minutes with to talk about modernising his country's economy, how it is outpacing its larger peers and the role of migration in this process.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 challen
EU watchdog chief Teresa Anjinho | Fraud probes 'risk damaging EU reputation'
The head of the EU's ombudsman, Teresa Anjinho, joins 12 Minutes with to discuss the probes that have rocked Brussels, accessing von der Leyen's text messages and what is needed to safeguard people's trust in the EU institutions. A series of in-depth interviews with influential Europeans—spanning politics, business, science, technology, and the environment—who are shaping the future of the co
Belgian Drugs Chief Ine Van Wymersch | Narco-states and an EU opioid problem?
She has taken on her role at a time when drug-related attacks are rocking her country. Belgian Drug Commissioner Ine Van Wymersch joins 12 Minutes With to discuss the risk of Belgium becoming a narco-state, her concerns about opioid-laced vapes harming youngsters and the emergence of fentanyl in Europe.A series of in-depth interviews with influential Europeans—spanning politics, busines
North Macedonia's PM Mickoski | Bullied on EU membership path?
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
Montenegrin FM Ivanović | The EU's 28th member state?
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 u
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama | The most Euro-optimistic country on Earth?
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
Belarus, balloons and drones: How should EU respond to hybrid threats?
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 E
“It’s time to unblock Ukraine”: A chat with Romania’s Foreign Minister
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
Odile Renaud-Basso on the future of Ukraine and Gaza
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 Euro
