During the plenary sessions MEPs hold debates on foreign affairs and security policy to discuss European Union (EU) action beyond its borders.

The EU Treaties differentiate between common foreign and security policy (CFSP), common security and defence policy (CSDP), external action, and the external dimension of internal policies.

To address new challenges such as climate change, rising insecurity or new migration patterns, the EU has put forward concrete solutions to shape synergy between the actors, in order to use shared expertise more effectively, and to find new sources of funding. The new foreign policy framework (EU global strategy) is intended to map the tools and resources best designed to help society as a whole, in the EU and partner countries, to withstand natural and manmade shocks more effectively. In the years to come, global instability is expected to rise; the challenge for the EU will be to ensure security while upholding the core values of the Treaties – human rights, democracy and the fight against poverty – as its primary objectives on the global stage.

Debates on foreign affairs and security policy

MEPs wengage in a debate with EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell regarding Russian attempts to interfere in Moldova's upcoming presidential elections. Following this discussion, a resolution addressing these concerns will be put to a vote on Thursday.

Moldova is set to hold its presidential election on 20 October 2024, coinciding with a referendum on EU membership. Senior Moldovan officials have raised alarms about Moscow's use of hybrid tactics aimed at undermining the country's pro-European government, led by President Maia Sandu, as it seeks to advance its EU integration following the granting of EU candidate status in June 2022.

Strengthening Moldova's resilience against Russian interference

EP Plenary session- Foreign interference and hybrid attacks: the need to strengthen EU resilience and internal security

With war having returned to the European continent, measuring the level of threats to peace, security and democracy around the world – as the 'Normandy Index' does – is more important than ever. The annual Index was presented for the first time at the Normandy Peace Forum in June 2019, as a result of a partnership between the European Parliament and the Region of Normandy. The Index has been designed and prepared by the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS), in conjunction with and on the basis of data provided by the Institute for Economics and Peace. This paper sets out the findings of the 2023 exercise, which draws on data compiled in 2022, and explains how the Index can be used to compare peace – defined on the basis of a given country's performance against a range of predetermined threats – across countries and regions. It is complemented by 61 individual country case studies, derived from the Index. The paper forms part of the EPRS contribution to the 2023 Normandy World Peace Foru

Mapping threats to peace and democracy worldwide: Normandy Index 2023

EP Plenary session - Foreign interference and hybrid attacks: the need to strengthen EU resilience and internal security

EP Plenary session - Strengthening Moldova's resilience against Russian interference and a constitutional referendum on EU integration

EP Plenary session - Role of preventive diplomacy in tackling frozen conflicts around the world – missed opportunity or change for the future?

AFET Committee - Public hearing on the Implementation report on the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement

AFET Committee - Public Hearing on the EU and Latin America

AFET Committee - Geopolitical dialogue with Olivér Várhelyi

EP Plenary session - Situation in Sudan

EP Plenary session - Adoption of the Act in support of ammunition production

During Question Time, MEPs quiz Commission Vice-President Jourová about EU governments’ preparedness to combat foreign interference, especially ahead of the European Elections, including from Russia.

Information security of EU governments against foreign interference, in particular by Russia: extracts from the question time with the Commission

Amidst significant geopolitical uncertainty and threats, MEPs are set to call for decisive action to strengthen and protect the international rules-based order. EP Plenary holds a joint debate on how to strengthen European security and defence with the Council and Commission.In the draft report on the implementation of the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy for 2023, MEPs urge the EU to develop robust strategic alliances, to accelerate EU enlargement and reform decision-making processes in response to a new geopolitical context. Parliament also assesses the implementation of the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy report in the context of a rapidly deteriorating global security environment. Both reports will be put to a vote on Wednesday.

Joint Debate - European Security and Defence: closing statements by Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the European Commission and Mathieu MICHEL, Belgian State Secretary for Digitisation

Joint Debate - European Security and Defence: MEPs debate part 1

Joint Debate - European Security and Defence: round of political group speakers and Rapporteurs

Amidst significant geopolitical uncertainty and threats, MEPs call for decisive action to strengthen and protect the international rules-based order. Plenary holds a joint debate on how to strengthen European security and defence. Ursula VON DER LEYEN highlights that priroity should be given to a defence joint procurement. EC President also proposes the designation of a Defence Commissioner for the next Commission.

European Security and Defence: extracts from the debate

Amidst significant geopolitical uncertainty and threats, MEPs are set to call for decisive action to strengthen and protect the international rules-based order. EP Plenary holds a joint debate on how to strengthen European security and defence with the Council and Commission. In the draft report on the implementation of the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy for 2023, MEPs urge the EU to develop robust strategic alliances, to accelerate EU enlargement and reform decision-making processes in response to a new geopolitical context. Parliament also assesses the implementation of the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy report in the context of a rapidly deteriorating global security environment. Both reports will be put to a vote on Wednesday.

Joint Debate - European Security and Defence: MEPs debate part 2

Amidst significant geopolitical uncertainty and threats, MEPs are set to call for decisive action to strengthen and protect the international rules-based order. EP Plenary holds a joint debate on how to strengthen European security and defence with the Council and Commission. In the draft report on the implementation of the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy for 2023, MEPs urge the EU to develop robust strategic alliances, to accelerate EU enlargement and reform decision-making processes in response to a new geopolitical context. Parliament also assesses the implementation of the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy report in the context of a rapidly deteriorating global security environment. Both reports will be put to a vote on Wednesday. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Joint Debate - European Security and Defence: opening statement by Mathieu MICHEL, Belgian State Secretary for Digitisation, and Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the European Commission

MEPs of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), jointly with the Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE), debate the ongoing and future challenges of the EU Common security and defence policy in the context of the war in Ukraine and the Alliance's enlargement with Jens STOLTENBERG, Secretary General of NATO. Extracts from the exchange of views.

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