In her first State of the Union speech, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called for the use of qualified majority voting (QMV) in areas such as sanctions and human rights. The crises and security challenges accumulating in and around the European Union have added to the urgency of having a more effective and rapid decision-making process in areas pertaining to the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).

EPRS policy podcast - Qualified majority voting in foreign and security policy: Pros and Cons

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

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 awhole, 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.

Ahead of the 17-18 February European Union-African Union summit in Brussels, plenary discussed with Josep Borrell, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, about how to work together with African partners for a more strategic and results-oriented partnership. The discussion focused on the common challenges facing both continents, including the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, boosting vaccination and stimulating investments.

EU - Africa

EP Plenary session - Joint Debate - European Security and Defence

EP Plenary session - Strategic Compass and EU space-based defence capabilities

EP Plenary session - Question Time (with the Commission) - The state of implementation of the EU's commitment to provide 1 million rounds of artillery ammunition to Ukraine until March 2024

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

EP Plenary session - The escalating humanitarian crisis on the Polish/Belarusian border

EP Plenary session - Situation in Nicaragua

EP Plenary session - The situation in Afghanistan

EP Plenary session - The current political situation in Georgia

David SASSOLI - EP President meets with Josep BORRELL - Spain’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and appointed as High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

EP plenary session - Arms export: implementation of Common Position 2008/944/CFSP

SEDE Workshop -The further development of the Common Position 2008/944/CFSP on arms export control - Questions and answers

Federica MOGHERINI in plenary session Week 50 2017 in Strasbourg

MOGHERINI,  Federica - High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

Plenary session week 50 2016 in Strasbourg - Annual Report on human rights and democracy in the world and the European

Plenary session week 11 2015 in Strasbourg - Annual report from the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy to the European Parliament

Plenary session week 07 2015 in Strasbourg - Situation in Ukraine  Statement by the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

Plenary session week 07 2015 in Strasbourg - Shortage of funding for the UNRWA  Statement by the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

Federica MOGHERINI High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy / Vice-President of the Commission

Plenary session week 3 2015 in Strasbourg -Main aspects and basic choices of the common foreign and security policy and the common security and defence policy (Article 36 TEU)

Resumption of the session 

Opening of the sitting


Statements by the President

Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting : see Minutes

Composition of committees and delegations : see Minutes

Request for waiver of immunity

Request for the defence of immunity: see Minutes

Negotiations ahead of Parliament&#39;s first reading (Rule 71): see Minutes

Corrigendum (Rule 241)

Requests for consultation of the European Economic and Social Committee (Rule 145): see Minutes

Delegated acts and implementing measures (Rule 111(6) and Rule 112(4)(d)): see Minutes

Order of business : see Minutes

Strategic approach to pharmaceuticals in the environment (debate)

Announcement by the President 

Draft Council decision on the system of own resources of the European Union (debate)

Voting session


Draft Council decision on the system of own resources of the European Union

Amending Decision No 1313/2013/EU on a Union Civil Protection Mechanism (debate)

Global data collection system for ship fuel oil consumption data (debate)

Arms export: implementation of Common Position 2008/944/CFSP (debate)

Implementation of the EU Association Agreement with Georgia (debate)

Agenda of the next sitting : see Minutes

Closure of the sitting 

Plenary Session

Opening of the sitting

Interim report on the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027 – Parliament's position with a view to an agreement (debate)

Resumption of the sitting

Voting time

Explanations of vote

Corrections to votes and voting intentions : see Minutes

Debate with the Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel, on the Future of Europe

Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting

Request for waiver of immunity: see Minutes

Implementation of the EU-Georgia Association Agreement - Implementation of the EU-Moldova Association Agreement (debate)

Empowering competition authorities and ensuring the proper functioning of the internal market (debate)

Regulating virtual currencies and initial coin offerings (debate)

EU Member States support for the UN Global compact for migration (debate)

Humanitarian visas (debate)

Plenary

Arms export: implementation of the Common Position 2008/944/CFSP (debate)

Arms exports: implementation of Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP (debate)

Approach of the European Parliament to implementing Articles 9 and 10 of Protocol 1 of the Lisbon Treaty on parliamentary cooperation in the field of CFSP/CSDP (debate)

Main aspects of the common foreign and security policy and the common security and defence policy - Situation in Syria and in Camp Ashraf - Report: Albertini - Annual report from the Council to Parliament on the main aspects of CFSP in 2009 - Report: Gualtieri - Development of CSDP following the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty - Report: Muñiz De Urquiza - The EU as a global actor: its role in multilateral organisations (debate)

2008 annual report on the CFSP - The implementation of the European Security Strategy and the Common Security and Defence Policy - Non-proliferation Treaty (debate)

Annual Report (2007) on the main aspects and basic choices of the CFSP - European Security Strategy and ESDP - The role of NATO in the security architecture of the EU (debate)

MEPs ask the Commission about the state of implementation of the EU's commitment to provide 1 million rounds of artillery ammunition to Ukraine until March 2024. Questions and answers (introduction).

Question Time - introduction: The state of implementation of the EU's commitment to provide 1 million rounds of artillery ammunition to Ukraine until March 2024: Questions and answers

MEPs ask the Commissioner for the Internal Market, Thierry BRETON, about the state of implementation of the EU's commitment to provide 1 million rounds of artillery ammunition to Ukraine until March 2024. Questions and answers session.

The state of implementation of the EU's commitment to provide 1 million rounds of artillery ammunition to Ukraine until March 2024: questions and answers with Thierry BRETON, European Commissioner for Internal Market

MEPs debate on the CFSP and CSDP (Article 36 TEU) Implementation of the common foreign and security policy and the common security and defence policy - annual reports 2022. Second part of the debate.

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: MEPs debate (part 2)

MEPs debate on the CFSP and CSDP (Article 36 TEU) Implementation of the common foreign and security policy and the common security and defence policy - annual reports 2022. First part of the debate.

Joint debate - CFSP and CSDP (Article 36 TEU) Implementation of the common foreign and security policy and the common security and defence policy: MEPs debate (part 1)

MEPs debate on the CFSP and CSDP (Article 36 TEU) Implementation of the common foreign and security policy and the common security and defence policy - annual reports 2022. Opening statements by David McALLISTER (EPP, DE) and by Tom VANDENKENDELAERE (EPP, BE), Rapporteurs, by Victor NEGRESCU (S&D, RO) AFCO and Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ (Renew, ES) FEMM and by 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.

Joint debate - CFSP and CSDP (Article 36 TEU) Implementation of the Common Foreign and Security Policy and the Common Security and Defence Policy: opening statements

MEPs debate on the CFSP and CSDP (Article 36 TEU) Implementation of the common foreign and security policy and the common security and defence policy - annual reports 2022. Closing statements by by David McALLISTER (EPP, DE) and by Tom VANDENKENDELAERE (EPP, BE), Rapporteurs and by Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

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: Closing statements

In the context of the digital and ecological transition, space services such as satellite communication are becoming a strategic asset. The Russian war of invasion also shows how important it is for defence and civilian purposes. With that in mind, the EU has the ambition to deploy its own constellation of up to 170 satellites to provide secure, uninterrupted and fast communications. The programme promises major advances to our economy and society. But to be successful, it must address challenges like space congestion. Restrictions: ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely.

EPRS - IRIS²: the EU Secure Connectivity Programme

MEPs and Josep Borrell also discuss Parliament’s annual reports on the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), MEPs put forward their proposals on how to strengthen the EU as a global foreign policy and security actor. First part of the debate.

Joint debate - Common security and defence policy: MEPs debate (part 1/2)

MEPs and Josep Borrell also discuss Parliament’s annual reports on the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), MEPs put forward their proposals on how to strengthen the EU as a global foreign policy and security actor. Opening statements by David McALLISTER (EPP, DE), Nathalie LOISEAU (Renew, FR), Rapporteurs and by 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.

Joint debate - Common security and defence policy: opening statements by David McALLISTER (EPP, DE), Nathalie LOISEAU (Renew, FR), Rapporteurs and by Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, HRVP of the European Union

In the annual report 2021 on the implementation of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), Foreign Affairs Committee MEPs warn that the EU is facing new threats and call for firm response to the external security challenges. MEPs and Josep BORRELL discuss Parliament’s annual reports and the proposals on how to strengthen the EU as a global foreign policy and security actor. The report, adopted by the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), focuses on the development of the EU's security and defence doctrine through the Strategic Compass, CSDP missions and operations, crisis management, resilience, capabilities, partnerships and parliamentary oversight of CSDP.

CFSP and CSDP (Common foreign and security policy & Common security and defence policy): statement by Nathalie LOISEAU (Renew, FR), Rapporteur and extracts from the debate

On 7th October 2019, Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, from Spain, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Policy and Security Policy/Vice-President-designate for Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight, is heard by the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) of the European Parliament in Brussels to test his general competences, European commitment and specific expertise related to his portfolio. On this occasion, Josep BORRELL FONTELLES has the opportunity to make an opening statement. The following transcription is the result of an automatic process. Check Against delivery.

Hearing of Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative/Vice President-designate of the European Commission: Opening statement by Josep BORRELL FONTELLES

During the plenary session (10-13/12/18) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on European Foreign, Security and Defence Policy. Statements by David McALLISTER (EPP, DE), Ioan Mircea PASCU (S&D, RO) and Federica MOGHERINI, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy / Vice-President of the EC.

European Foreign, Security and Defence Policy: extracts from the debate

Antonio TAJANI, EP President, opens the EU Ambassadors 6th meeting in the EP in Brussels. He expresses himself on Africa, Turkey, Balkans, Russia, China and on NATO. Family picture&nbsp;

EU Ambassadors 6th meeting: extracts from the opening remarks by Antonio TAJANI, EP President, and family picture

Martin SCHULZ, EP President, expresses himself on the occasion of the 4th Meeting with the EU Ambassadors Conference in the EP in Brussels.

4th Meeting with the EU Ambassadors Conference: statement by Martin SCHULZ, EP President

Formal hearings of commissioners-designate were introduced as a result of the Maastricht Treaty. The first Commission to be subject to this new procedure was the Santer Commission in 1995. Hans VAN DEN BROEK, Commissioner-designate for Relations with central and eastern Europe, CFSP and the External Service, appears before the parliamentary committee in his prospective fields of responsibility.

Santer Commission: hearing of Hans VAN DEN BROEK, Commissioner-designate for Relations with central and eastern Europe, CFSP and the External Service

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