David McAllister (EPP, DE) will continue as the Chair of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee for the coming two and a half years. He was re-elected by acclamation on Wednesday, 10 July. During its constituent meeting, the Committee also elected Witold Waszczykowski (ECR, PL) as the Committee’s First Vice-Chair. The remaining three Vice-Chairs will be elected at a future meeting. Together, the Chair and Vice-Chairs will form the Bureau of the Committee.

AFET - Committee on Foreign Affairs

The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, named in honour of the Soviet physicist and political dissident Andrei Sakharov, is awarded each year by the European Parliament. It was set up in 1988 to honour individuals and organisations defending human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Each nominee must have the support of at least 40 MEPs, and each individual Member may support only one nominee. Signed nominations accompanied by supporting evidence are then assessed in a joint meeting of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), the Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) and the Committee on Development (DEVE). A shortlist of three candidates is drawn up through a vote by AFET and DEVE committees, and then submitted to the Conference of Presidents for a final vote. The winner is usually announced in October, and the award ceremony takes place in November/December at plenary sitting in Strasbourg.

Sakharov Prize 2017

The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, named in honour of the Soviet physicist and political dissident Andrei Sakharov, is awarded each year by the European Parliament. It was set up in 1988 to honour individuals and organisations defending human rights and fundamental freedoms.

 
Each nominee must have the support of at least 40 MEPs, and each individual Member may support only one nominee. Signed nominations accompanied by supporting evidence are then assessed in a joint meeting of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), the Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) and the Committee on Development (DEVE). A shortlist of three candidates is drawn up through a vote by AFET and DEVE committees, and then submitted to the Conference of Presidents for a final vote. The winner is usually announced in October, and the award ceremony takes place in November/December at plenary sitting in Strasbourg.

Nadia Murad and Lamiya Aji Bashar are the 2016 laureates of Parliament's Sakharov Prize.

On 5 October 2018 the Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the Nobel Peace Prize for 2018 to Denis Mukwege and Nadia Murad.

Nadia Murad and Lamiya Aji Bashar, Sakharov Prize laureates 2016

The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, named in honour of the Soviet physicist and political dissident Andrei Sakharov, is awarded each year by the European Parliament. It was set up in 1988 to honour individuals and organisations defending human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Each nominee must have the support of at least 40 MEPs, and each individual Member may support only one nominee. Signed nominations accompanied by supporting evidence are then assessed in a joint meeting of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), the Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) and the Committee on Development (DEVE). A shortlist of three candidates is drawn up through a vote by AFET and DEVE committees, and then submitted to the Conference of Presidents for a final vote. The winner is announced in October, and the award ceremony takes place in December at the plenary sitting in Strasbourg.

The nominations for the 2020 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought are:

The democratic opposition in Belarus, represented by the Coordination Council, initiative of brave women and political and civil society figures, nominated by EPP, S&amp;D, Renew Europe 
Mgr Najeeb Moussa Michaeel, Archbishop of Mosul, Iraq nominated by ID 
Guapinol activists and Berta Caceres in Honduras, nominated by Greens/EFA, GUE/NGL 
The democratic opposition in Belarus, represented by Sviatlana Tsikhanouska, nominated by ECR 
Polish LGBTI activists Jakub Gawron, Paulina Pajak, Paweł Preneta and Kamil Maczuga, founders of the website Atlas of Hate, nominated by Malin Björk, Terry Reintke, Marc Angel, Rasmus Andresen and 39 other MEPs.

The democratic opposition in Belarus has been awarded the 2020 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.

Democratic Opposition in Belarus, Sakharov Prize 2020

The UN High Commissioner on Human Rights Volker Türk comes to the EU Parliament for the first time in this legislature. In an exchange of views with AFET - DROI MEPs in committee meeting, they discuss news topics in the field of geopolitics and human rights, before the adoption of the annual report on Human rights by the EP in plenary session, tentatively in March 2025.

AFET/DROI- Debate with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk

MEPs in the Foreign Affairs Committee meet Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos. The discussion is expected to focus on the state of play and the progress made by the ten enlargement countries.

AFET debate with Marta KOS, Commissioner  for Enlargement

The Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Subcommittee on Security and Defence and the Delegation for Relations with the NATO Parliamentary Assembly meets NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte for the first time. In the context of Russia’s war against Ukraine, and the incoming US administration, the topics to be discussed will likely include efforts to strengthen NATO defence and deterrence as well as the delivery of military assistance to Ukraine. MEPs are also set to inquire about other regional and global security threats that require close cooperation between the EU and NATO.

AFET/SEDE- Debate with Mark RUTTE, Secretary General of NATO

During an extraordinary meeting of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Kaja Kallas, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, addresses the situation in Syria following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime. The High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy emphasizes that this moment marks a historic opportunity for the Syrian people to rebuild their nation based on dignity, freedom, and justice, and for a Syrian-led and inclusive dialogue to ensure a peaceful transition, in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2254.

The EU pledges support for Syria’s territorial integrity, the protection of minorities, and the preservation of cultural heritage. Kallas stresses the importance of avoiding further violence and upholding international humanitarian law. The EU remains committed to working with international partners and supporting UN Special Envoy Geir Pedersen in facilitating Syria’s transition toward stability and democracy.

Extraordinary AFET (committee on Foreign Affairs) meeting, exchange of views with Kaja KALLAS, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on the situation in Syria

AFET - Presentation of the European Endowment for Democracy (EED) Annual Report 2024

Committee on Foreign Affairs Extraordinary meeting Joint meeting with the Committee on Security and Defence

AFET

Committee on Foreign Affairs Ordinary meeting

Committee on Foreign Affairs Jointly with the Committee on Development

DEVE

Joint committee on Foreign Affairs and committee on Budgets

BUDG

AFET Committee - Meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

AFET - Exchange of views with Dubravka Šuica, Commissioner for the Mediterranean

Press point AFET - The foreign policy priorities of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU

AFET - Presentation of the Priorities of the Polish Presidency of the Council

AFET Interparliamentary Committee Meeting - Towards a multipolar world – what role for the European Union?

AFET Interparliamentary Committee Meeting - Transatlantic relations in challenging times

AFET Committee - Exchange of views with Miroslav Lajčák, , EU Special representative for dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina

DROI Committee - Exchange of views with Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

David MCALLISTER (EPP, DE), Chair of AFET Committee and Radoslaw SIKORSKI, Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs, give a joint press conference on the foreign policy priorities of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU, in Brussels. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Press point by David MCALLISTER (EPP, DE), Chair of AFET Committee and Radoslaw SIKORSKI, Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs, on the foreign policy priorities of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU

The UN High Commissioner on Human Rights Volker Türk comes to the EU Parliament for the first time in this legislature. In an exchange of views with the Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) jointly with the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), they discuss news topics in the field of geopolitics and human rights, before the adoption of the annual report on Human rights by the EP in plenary session, tentatively in March 2025.

Exchange of views with Volker TÜRK, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights: extracts from the meeting and statement by Volker TÜRK, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

The Committees on Foreign Affairs and Security and Defence and the Delegation for Relations with the NATO Parliamentary Assembly meet Mark RUTTE, Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) for the first time. In the context of Russia’s war against Ukraine, and the incoming US administration, the topics discussed include efforts to strengthen NATO defence and deterrence as well as the delivery of military assistance to Ukraine. MEPs also inquire about other regional and global security threats that require close cooperation between the EU and NATO.

Exchange of views with Mark RUTTE, Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO): extracts - AFET Committee, SEDE Subcommittee and Delegation for relations with the NATO Parliamentary Assembly

The Committees on Foreign Affairs and Security (AFET) and Defence (SEDE) and the Delegation for Relations with the National Atlantic Treaty Organization Parliamentary Assembly (DNAT) meet NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte for the first time. In the context of Russia’s war against Ukraine, and the incoming US administration, the topics discussed include efforts to strengthen NATO defence and deterrence as well as the delivery of military assistance to Ukraine. MEPs also inquire about other regional and global security threats that require close cooperation between the European Union and NATO.

Exchange of views with Mark RUTTE, Secretary General of the NATO: Opening statements by David McALLISTER, AFET Chair, Marie-Agnes STRACK-ZIMMERMANN, SEDE Chair, Mark RUTTE, NATO Secretary General, and by Salvatore DE MEO, DNAT Chair

The EP Committee on Foreign Affairs exchange views with Kaja KALLAS, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on the situation in Syria following the fall of the Assad dictatorship.

The situation in Syria following the fall of the Assad dictatorship: exchange of views with Kaja KALLAS, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy - AFET Committee

&lt;p>From 4th to 12th November 2024, the European Parliament held the Confirmation hearings of the Commissioners-designate, in Brussels. For 3 hours, MEPs quizzed the candidates for the College of Commissioners on their priorities ahead of the new mandate given by Ursula von der LEYEN, President of the European Commission. This clip highlights the best pictures from the 26 confirmation hearings.&lt;/p>

Highlights of the hearings of the Commissioners-designate (2024)

Henna VIRKKUNEN, Executive Vice-President-designate of the European Commission for Tech-Sovereignty, Security and Democracy speaks to the press after she was heard by Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE), Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) of the European Parliament. Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE), Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI), Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE) and Committee on Culture and Education (CULT) which participated as joint committees.

Press point by Henna VIRKKUNEN, Executive Vice-President-designate of the European Commission for Tech-Sovereignty, Security and Democracy

Henna VIRKKUNEN, Executive Vice-President-designate of the European Commission for Tech-Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, of the VON DER LEYEN Commission is heard by the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE), and Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) of the European Parliament. Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE), Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI), Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE) and Committee on Culture and Education (CULT) participate as joint committees. At the end of the confirmation hearing, Henna VIRKKUNEN makes a closing statement followed by the one from the Committee chair.

Confirmation hearing of Henna VIRKKUNEN, Executive Vice-President-designate of the European Commission for Tech-Sovereignty, Security and Democracy: closing statement by Henna VIRKKUNEN and Committee chair

Henna VIRKKUNEN, Executive Vice-President-designate of the European Commission for Tech-Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, of the VON DER LEYEN Commission is heard by the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE), Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) of the European Parliament. Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE), Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI), Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE) and Committee on Culture and Education (CULT) participate as joint committees. During the confirmation hearing, Henna VIRKKUNEN answers questions by committee members.

Confirmation hearing of Henna VIRKKUNEN, Executive Vice-President-designate of the European Commission for Tech-Sovereignty, Security and Democracy: questions / answers (part 5)

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