Changes from plenary report to adopted text

– having regard to its resolution of 8 May 2025 on the return of Ukrainian children forcibly transferred and deported by Russia,

– having regard to its resolution of 9 July 2025 on the human cost of Russia’s war against Ukraine and the urgent need to end Russian aggression: the situation of illegally detained civilians and prisoners of war, and the continued bombing of civilians,

– having regard to its resolution of 23 November 2022 on recognising the Russian Federation as a state sponsor of terrorism,

– having regard to the UN Secretary-General’s remarks of 22 September 2025 to the General Assembly marking the 80th Anniversary of the United Nations,

– having regard to the State of the Union address of 10 September 2025 by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen,

– having regard to its resolution of 8 October 2025 on EU political strategy on Latin America,

– having regard to the EU Action Plan on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in External Action 2021-2025 (GAP III),

– having regard to the Declaration of the third summit between the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), adopted on 18 July 2023,

– having regard to the joint declaration of the fourth EU-CELAC summit of 9 November 2025,

– having regard to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea,

– having regard to NATO’s 2022 Strategic Concept, adopted on 29 June 2022,

– having regard to The Hague NATO Summit Declaration of 25 June 2025,

– having regard to the EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders, adopted in 2004, updated in 2008 and further specified in 2020 with a guidance note on their implementation,

– having regard to its resolution of 23 January 2025 on Russia’s disinformation and historical falsification to justify its war of aggression against Ukraine,

– having regard to the Charter of the United Nations of 26 June 1945,

– having regard to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court of 17 July 1998,

– having regard to the Interinstitutional Agreement of 20 November 2002 between the European Parliament and the Council concerning access by the European Parliament to sensitive information of the Council in the field of security and defence policy,

– having regard to its previous resolutions on breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law, adopted in accordance with Rule 150 of its Rules of Procedure,

– having regard to the report by Sauli Niinistö of 30 October 2024 entitled ‘Safer Together – Strengthening Europe’s Civilian and Military Preparedness and Readiness’,

– having regard to its resolution of 17 January 2024 on the security and defence implications of China’s influence on critical infrastructure in the European Union,

– having regard to its resolution of 24 October 2024 on the misinterpretation of UN resolution 2758 by the People’s Republic of China and its continuous military provocations around Taiwan,

– having regard to its resolution of 9 September 2025 on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Kyrgyz Republic, of the other part,

– having regard to its resolution of 28 February 2024 on the implementation of the common foreign and security policy – annual report 2023,

– having regard to the Joint Statement of the EU-UK Leaders’ Summit of 19 May 2025,

– having regard to the Joint Declaration following the first EU-Central Asia summit of 4 April 2025,

– having regard to the Kiruna Declaration of 15 May 2013,

– having regard to UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) on Women, Peace and Security,

– having regard to its resolution of 27 November 2025 on the EU position on the proposed plan and EU engagement towards a just and lasting peace for Ukraine,

– having regard to its resolution of 11 September 2025 on Gaza at breaking point: EU action to combat famine, the urgent need to release hostages and move towards a two-state solution,

– having regard to UN Security Council Resolution 2803 (2025) welcoming the comprehensive plan to end the Gaza conflict,

– having regard to Rule 55 of its Rules of Procedure,

– having regard to the report of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (A10-0253/2025),

A. whereas the EU’s common foreign and security policy (CFSP) should preserve peace, reinforcing international security and promoting international cooperation, thereby serving Europe’s strategic interests as set out in Article 21 TEU by safeguarding the Union’s security and the interests of all Member States, including through credible deterrence; whereas these objectives must be pursued while fostering democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including women’s and minority rights;

B. whereas over the past year, wars and armed conflicts, including direct confrontations and rising tensions as well as hybrid attacks, have affected almost every continent; whereas the intensifying geopolitical and economic confrontation constitutes a factor conducive to the re-escalation of frozen conflicts and to the outbreak of new ones; whereas the international organisations established to prevent such tensions from arising have encountered challenges in their endeavours to fulfil their mandates, making their reform urgent and indispensable and requiring greater collective engagement among democracies in strengthening defence;

G. whereas the EU and the UK, in their Joint Statement of 19 May 2025, assume a shared commitment to the stability of the Western Balkans; whereas the EU and the UK should define concrete areas of cooperation in the region, in particular to ensure respect for the power-sharing principle of the Dayton-Paris Peace Agreement;

H. whereas certain international actors, most notably authoritarian states, are jeopardising European security and stability by employing a vast set of hybrid tactics, notably the sabotage of critical infrastructure and interference in the democratic functioning of our societies as well as fully fledged security threats such as drone incursions and attacks on rail networks; whereas addressing such threats forms part of the EU’s CFSP, necessitating a credible, first-hand intelligence information system on external threats that contributes to the EU’s ability to respond rapidly and effectively, as well as to safeguard its interests abroad;

I. whereas enlargement represents a geostrategic investment in long-term peace, democracy, stability, security, climate protection and prosperity across the continent, in particular in the face of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine; whereas the preparation for enlargement requires internal EU reforms and whereas the EU should conduct the enlargement process in parallel with the institutional and decision-making reforms necessary to safeguard the EU’s integration capacity; whereas a credible enlargement policy strengthens the EU’s geopolitical influence and resilience; whereas compliance with the fundamental principles of the Union and respect for international law is a prerequisite for accession to the EU;

J. whereas the EU continues to promote its own autonomous European diplomacy in all areas, including public, cultural, economic, climate, artificial intelligence, digital and cyber diplomacy; whereas achieving an EU diplomatic service shaped by a common diplomatic culture nurtured from a predominantly EU perspective is an essential step in this regard; whereas the European Diplomatic Academy contributes to this objective;

K. whereas the EU prioritises partnerships with like-minded democracies; whereas the conclusion of new global partnerships is based on political due diligence in order to avoid dependencies that expose the EU to coercion and to guarantee that cooperation does not undermine human rights, sustainable development or EU solidarity; whereas sectoral cooperation cannot be pursued to the detriment of EU fundamental values; whereas divisions within the EU or the transatlantic alliance, as well as with our strategic partners, make us all weaker, and benefit our opponents, rivals and competitors;