MEPs demand a stronger role in shaping EU foreign policy
29690
post-template-default,single,single-post,postid-29690,single-format-standard,cookies-not-set,et_divi_builder,qode-social-login-1.1.2,qode-restaurant-1.1.1,stockholm-core-1.0.5,tribe-no-js,page-template-stockholm,select-theme-ver-9.8,ajax_fade,page_not_loaded,vertical_menu_enabled,menu-animation-underline,side_area_uncovered,,qode_menu_,et-pb-theme-stockholm,et-db,wpb-js-composer js-comp-ver-7.6,vc_responsive
5. Dezember 2019 In Aktuell

MEPs demand a stronger role in shaping EU foreign policy

The EU needs to become more of a credible and effective global actor, and take a prominent leadership role on the international stage, say MEPs in a resolution adopted on Wednesday.

In their annual resolution assessing the state of play on the EU’s common foreign and security policy (CFSP), MEPs in Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee note that the world is facing a global power shift, with geopolitical competition becoming a leading trend. The need for a stronger and effective Europe that acts on its external relations in a unified manner is therefore more urgent than ever.

In a world where the multilateral order is being challenged more and more, they express their full support for new Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s decision to transform the European Commission into a ‘geopolitical commission’, focussed on building a credible external political actor.

Team up with like-minded partners

In the wide-ranging resolution, MEPs also stress that the EU has to switch from a responsive to an anticipatory approach. Teaming up with the EU’s like-minded strategic partners, especially NATO, and with emerging countries is essential to defend the global rule-based order founded on international and humanitarian law and multilateral treaties.

The resolution also calls for a stronger parliamentary dimension of EU foreign policy, highlighting the importance of parliamentary assemblies as forums for cooperation and dialogue, and the valuable contribution they make to European external action.

Better information-sharing between all the EU institutions is also of outmost importance to allow the European Parliament to better exercise its scrutiny role in the area of foreign affairs and security policy. For all the details, the full resolution will be available here in due time. It was adopted by 47 votes in favour, 12 against and 4 abstentions.

Quote

“The adoption of the annual report on the implementation of the Common Foreign and Security Policy in the Foreign Affairs Committee comes at a very opportune moment. Only four days after the new VP/HR Josep Borrell took office, the committee is presenting its vision of a more effective Common Foreign and Security Policy. The European Parliament is ready, together with the European Commission and the EEAS, to ensure a more coordinated approach to our external action”, said rapporteur and EP Foreign Affairs Committee Chair David McAllister (EPP, DE) after the vote.

Next steps

The resolution will be put to vote by the European Parliament as a whole during the plenary session in Strasbourg in January. It will then represent the official position of the full House. Before the plenary vote, Mr McAllister and MEPs will also debate the matter with the new EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell.