France 24’s new magazine show dedicated to Europe

Presented by Armen Georgian

Starting on October 18 at:

 7:15 PM Paris time (Part 1)

7:45 PM Paris time (Part 2)

France 24 is launching ‘Europe Rendezvous’, a new magazine show featuring reports and interviews that explore different regions of the European Union, highlighting their challenges, achievements, and people. The 34-minute programme, presented by Armen Georgian in English, and ‘Aux 4 Coins de l’Europe’ by Caroline de Camaret in French, is broadcast every other month on Saturdays.

 The first episode of ‘Europe Rendezvous’ heads out to the heart of the Atlantic Ocean and visits one of the EU’s most isolated Outermost Regions, the Azores. Made up of nine islands, with around 240,000 inhabitants, the Portuguese autonomous region depends heavily on EU funding, receiving approximately 160 million euros in cohesion funds each year.

 Through interviews with local leaders and business owners, France 24 journalists explore the impact of the EU funding on the islands’ development and delve into the natural beauty of the Azores.

Part 1 – EU budget and its impact on the Azores: 

• Armen Georgian interviews José Manuel Bolieiro, President of the Autonomous Government of the Azores, who voices his concerns over the European Commission’s push to centralise cohesion fund management.
• A report by Charlotte Prudhomme and Renaud Lefort looks at the EU budget negotiations in Brussels and their implications for Outermost Regions.
• A closer look at the islands’ cultural heritage, including its tea plantations, which date back to the 19^th century and are the only remaining active tea producers in Europe. 

Part 2 – The Azores and the Atlantic Ocean: 

• An inside look at the Azores’ sustainable tourism, where EU-backed initiatives, such as a whale-watching company’s switch to electric vessels, are helping balance economic growth with environmental protection.
• An interview with MEP Paulo do Nascimento Cabral, a leading voice behind the European Ocean Pact.
• A visit to the Nonagon Science and Technology Park on São Miguel Island, followed by an interview with MEP Ana Vasconcelos on fostering innovation in the Azorean economy.
• A profile of a local farmer who relies on EU cohesion funds to finance 80% of her farming equipment.

 Three special reports:

How the EU is helping to save Flores Island from flooding, a report by Luke Brown.

• Inspiring young Azoreans to shape their future, a report by Luke Brown
• Waste threatens the Azorean paradise, a report by Luke Brown

‘Europe Rendezvous’, a France 24 magazine broadcast on television, YouTube, and france24.com.