Brussels, 25/11/2015 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament called on Tuesday 24 November for greater involvement of the European Union in the United Nations and for better cooperation between the two institutions.
In the report by Paavo Väyrynen on “The role of the EU within the UN - how to better achieve EU foreign policy goals”, adopted by 488 votes to 137, with 42 abstentions, MEPs are “convinced” “that, in order to better achieve its foreign policy goals …, the EU should strive … to increase its own and its member states' influence” within the United Nations system. They say, too, that the EU should strive to strengthen global governance within the UN system.
Parliament also recalls “the long-term goal of the EU having a seat on an enlarged Security Council”, calling once again for a Europe-wide debate on reform of the UN Security Council. The EU should play an enhanced role “that implies sufficient visibility and policy leverage, enabling it to better execute its international obligations” within the General Assembly, it adds.
MEPs also highlight the need for closer cooperation between the EU and the UN on, for example, human rights, humanitarian aid, crisis management and development. (Original version in French by Camille Cerise Gessant)