10/03/2022 (Agence Europe) – In a resolution adopted on Thursday 10 March (479 votes in favour, 93 against, 116 abstentions) on the ‘Action Plan 2021-2025 for gender equality in the EU’s external relations’, the European Parliament wants the EU to make gender equality a priority in its external policy. The amended report by Chrysoula Zacharopoulou (Renew Europe, France) calls for 85% of the EU’s official development assistance to be dedicated to programmes where gender equality is one of the main objectives. The European Parliament wants the EU to be the leading advocate for sexual and reproductive health and rights in third countries and to ensure universal access to these rights within the EU. It also calls for a new EU Council configuration, involving the Ministers for Gender Equality. (AN)