The European Parliament on Thursday 17 February called for an expanded role for the EU as a leader on the international stage.
To this end, according to the report by David McAllister (EPP, Germany) on the implementation of the common foreign and security policy in 2021, adopted by 474 votes to 113 with 102 abstentions, the EU must in particular take the lead in strengthening multilateral partnerships on global priorities and in protecting and promoting democracy and human rights in the world.
Parliament calls on the EU to foster a global alliance of democracies and the effective implementation of the EU peace mediation concept adopted in 2020.
MEPs also believe that the EU must improve its visibility and decision-making and make full and more effective use of its coercing and influencing powers. In this context, Parliament calls once again for an end to unanimity in foreign policy, the creation of a European Security Council, a Defence Ministers Council, and a European Diplomatic Academy to train European diplomats.
Furthermore, MEPs believe that the EU’s foreign policy should have its own instruments for foreign affairs, human rights, security and defence. They welcomed the current ‘Strategic Compass’ process, hoping that it would “help shape a shared vision for EU security and defence of achieving strategic autonomy”. According to Parliament, the Union’s autonomy in the field of security and defence will require, in particular, “the development, coordination and swift deployment of reliable and interoperable strategic capabilities required for effective crisis management”.
MEPs also call for the further development of regional strategies.
Mr McAllister’s report also provides an extensive overview of the situation in different regions of the world.
See the report: https://aeur.eu/f/dd (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)