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

On Tuesday, Parliament assess the outcome of the 6 March Special European Council with Presidents Costa and von der Leyen and discuss the need to bolster Europe’s security.

In a joint debate on European security, MEPs assess the results of the 6 March special European Council convened by President António Costa to discuss Ukraine and European defence and attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. At a critical time for Ukraine and European security, as President Donald Trump’s new US administration has paused support for Kyiv and raised questions about future US defence engagement in Europe, MEPs will hear from Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on how the EU plans to strengthen its defence capabilities.

On Tuesday morning, MEPs also outline their expectations for the 20 -21 March EU summit, which is expected to focus - besides Ukraine - on the Middle East, Europe’s competitiveness, trade policy, and migration management.

In a separate debate on Tuesday afternoon, MEPs and representatives of the Polish Council Presidency and the European Commission discuss the upcoming white paper on the future of European defence, set to be unveiled by the Commission and the European External Action Service in mid-March 2025. The white paper will address defence sector capability issues, industrial competitiveness and investment needs. It should also frame the overall approach to EU defence integration, and outline how best the EU can respond to security threats. Plenary will wind up the debate with a vote on a resolution on Wednesday.

Debate on the EU summits and on the urgent need to bolster Europe’s security architecture

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 - European Council meetings and European 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

AFET Committee - Exchange of views with Miroslav Lajčák, , EU Special representative for dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina

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

EP Plenary session - Statement by the Vice-President of the commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy - EU relations with Iraq

EP Plenary session - The implementation of civilian CSDP and other EU civilian security assistance

EP Plenary session - Situation in Georgia

EP Plenary session - The challenges facing the Republic of Moldova

EP Plenary session - Deterioration of democracy in Israel and consequences on the occupied territories

EP Plenary session - Joint debate - CFSP and CSDP (Article 36 TEU).Implementation of the common foreign and security policy and the common security and defence policy- annual reports 2022

EP Plenary session -  Question time to Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of a stronger Europe in the World - The EU’s security and strategic compass

EP Plenary session - Joint debate - CFSP and CSDP (common foreign and security policy / common security and defence policy )

Debate on the new report of the Foreign Affairs Committee on the EU-Taiwan political relations and cooperation. Opening statement by Charlie WEIMERS (ECR, SE), rapporteur and by by Margrethe VESTAGER, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, HR/VP of European Union. Parliament is set to call for closer relations with Taiwan, while issuing a warning about the continued tensions across the Taiwan Strait. In a new report, Foreign Affairs Committee MEPs stress the urgent need for the EU to begin an “impact assessment, public consultation and scoping exercise” on an EU-Taiwan Bilateral Investment Agreement.

EU-Taiwan political relations and cooperation: opening statement by Charlie WEIMERS (ECR, SE), rapporteur and by opening statement by by Margrethe VESTAGER, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission (for the HR/VP of European Union)

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg (4-7 October 2021), MEPs debate the future of EU-US relations. First part of the debate.

The future of EU-US relations: MEPs debate (part 1/3)

MEPs debate and vote on the reform of the direction of EU-Russia political relations during the plenary session (13-16 September 2021) in Strasbourg.

Direction of EU-Russia political relations: extracts from the result of the vote and extracts from the debate (14/09)

During the plenary session (13-16 September 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Ursula VON DER LEYEN delivers the State of the European Union (SOTEU 2021) to the MEPs. Part 3 of the opening statement by Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the European Commission, on a Europe united in responsibility - Global - Security and Defence. Climate change and implementation of the Green Deal, Cop26, Climate finance, the events in Afghanistan, partnership with NATO, Hybrid and cyber attacks, creation of an European Defence Union, cyber security, partnerships with the US, the Balkans, the East and the Mediterranean, trade and Global Gateway, EU-Africa summit, ban for products made with forced labour and protection of human rights. This transcription speech is the result of an automatic process. Check against delivery.

Part 3/5 - State of the European Union 2021 debate: opening statement by Ursula von der LEYEN, President of the European Commission, on a Europe united in responsibility - Global - Security and Defence

During the plenary session (13-16 September 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs participate in the debate on the direction of EU-Russia political relations. (Continuation of the first part)

Direction of EU-Russia political relations: MEPs debate (continuation)

During the plenary session (13-16 September 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs discuss how to best respond to the humanitarian and migration crisis in Afghanistan, following the Taliban’s return to power after the withdrawal of US troops, with Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the EC

Situation in Afghanistan: MEPs debate - Part 1/3

During the plenary session (13-16 September 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs discuss how to best respond to the humanitarian and migration crisis in Afghanistan, following the Taliban’s return to power after the withdrawal of US troops, with Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of a stronger Europe in the World. Closing statement

Situation in Afghanistan: closing statement by Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission

On 15 August, the Taliban reinstated their power in Afghanistan, triggering a crisis in the country with thousands of people trying to escape by air and land. During the plenary session, MEPs debate how to respond to the Afghanistan crisis with Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the EC.

Situation in Afghanistan: extracts from the debate

Situation in Afghanistan: MEPs debate - Part 3/3

During the plenary session (13-16 September 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs participate in the debate on the current political and economic situation in Lebanon, experiencing its worst peacetime economic and financial crisis. Closing statement by Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission.

Situation in Lebanon: closing statement by Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union and Vice-President of the European Commission

During the plenary session (13-16 September 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs participate in the debate on the direction of EU-Russia political relations. Closing statement by Jutta URPILAINEN, European Commissioner of International Partnerships for by Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission.

Direction of EU-Russia political relations: closing statement by Jutta URPILAINEN, European Commissioner for International Partnerships, for VPC/HR

During the plenary session (13-16 September 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs participate in the debate on the direction of EU-Russia political relations.

Direction of EU-Russia political relations: MEPs debate

During the plenary session (13-16 September 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs participate in the debate on the new EU-China strategy. Closing statements by Hilde VAUTMANS (Renew,BE), Rapporteur and by Iuliu WINKLER (EPP,RO), INTA and by Jutta URPILAINEN, European Commissioner for International Partnerships, for VPC/HR.

A new EU-China strategy: closing statement by Jutta URPILAINEN, European Commissioner for International Partnerships, for VPC/HR

During the plenary session (13-16 September 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs participate in the debate on the new EU-China strategy.

A new EU-China strategy: MEPs debate

During the plenary session (13-16 September 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs participate in the debate on the direction of EU-Russia political relations. Opening statements by Andrius KUBILIUS (EPP, LT), rapporteur and by Jutta URPILAINEN, European Commissioner of International Partnerships for by Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission.

Direction of EU-Russia political relations: opening statements by Andrius KUBILIUS (EPP, LT), rapporteur and by Jutta URPILAINEN, European Commissioner for International Partnerships for VPC/HR

During the plenary session (13-16 September 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs participate in the debate on the new EU-China strategy. Opening statements by Hilde VAUTMANS (Renew,BE), Rapporteur and by Iuliu WINKLER (EPP,RO), INTA and by Jutta URPILAINEN, European Commissioner for International Partnerships, for VPC/HR.

A new EU-China strategy: opening statements by Hilde VAUTMANS (Renew, BE), rapporteur, Iuliu WINKLER (EPP, RO) and by Jutta URPILAINEN, European Commissioner for International Partnerships, for VPC/HR

During the plenary session (13-16 September 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs participate in the debate on the current political and economic situation in Lebanon, experiencing its worst peacetime economic and financial crisis.

Situation in Lebanon: MEPs debate

During the plenary session (13-16 September 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs participate in the debate on the current political and economic situation in Lebanon, experiencing its worst peacetime economic and financial crisis. Opening statement by Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission.

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