Changes from report parliamentary committee draft to plenary report

MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION

▸6 unchanged paragraphs

on the implementation of the common foreign and security policy – annual report 2023

(2023/2117(INI))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to the Treaty on European Union (TEU), in particular Articles 21 and 36 thereof,

– having regard to the report of 15 June 2023 by the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (VP/HR) entitled ‘CFSP Report – Our priorities in 2023’,

– having regard to the ‘Strategic Compass for Security and Defence – For a European Union that protects its citizens, values and interests and contributes to international peace and security’, endorsed by the European Council on 24 March 2022,

Added– having regard to the new NATO Strategic Concept adopted by Heads of State and Government at the NATO Summit in Madrid on 29 June 2022,

– having regard to the European Council conclusions of 29 and 30 June 2023,

Added– having regard to the European Council conclusions of 23 and 24 June 2022,

Added– having regard to the European Council conclusions of 24 and 25 March 2022,

– having regard to Council Decision (CFSP) 2021/509 of 22 March 2021 establishing a European Peace Facility, and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2015/528,

– having regard to the Commission proposal of 20 June 2023 for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on establishing the Ukraine Facility (COM(2023)0338),

– having regard to the joint communication from the Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee, the Committee of the Regions and the European Investment Bank of 1 December 2021 entitled ‘The Global Gateway’ (JOIN(2021)0030),

Added– having regard to the Commission communication of 12 October 2022 entitled ‘2022 Communication on EU Enlargement Policy’ (COM(2022)0528),

Added– having regard to the 2023 enlargement reports and to the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, which were presented by the Commission on 8 November 2023,

Added– having regard to its recommendation of 23 November 2022 to the Council, the Commission and the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy concerning the new EU strategy for enlargement,

– having regard to the joint communication from the Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy to the European Parliament and the Council of 7 June 2023 entitled ‘A New Agenda for Relations between the EU and Latin America and the Caribbean’ (JOIN(2023)0017),

– having regard to the resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly on 23 February 2023 entitled ‘Principles of the Charter of the United Nations underlying a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine’ (A/RES/ES-11/6), and to previous UN General Assembly resolutions on the aggression against Ukraine,

– having regard to the resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly on 7 April 2022 entitled ‘Suspension of the rights of membership of the Russian Federation in the Human Rights Council’ (A/RES/ES-11/3),

Added– having regard to the resolution entitled ‘Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’ (Agenda 2030) (A/RES/70/1), which was adopted by the UN General Assembly on 25 September 2015 at the UN Sustainable Development Summit in New York and which established the Sustainable Development Goals,

Added– having regard to Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/162 of 23 January 2023 on a European Union Mission in Armenia (EUMA),

Added– having regard to the Council Decisions (CFSP) 2022/1970 of 17 October 2022 and 2022/2507 of 19 December 2022 amending Decision 2010/452/CFSP on the European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia, EUMM Georgia,

Added– having regard to its resolutions of 15 March 2023 on EU-Armenia relations and EU-Azerbaijan relations, to its resolution of 19 January 2023 on the humanitarian consequences of the blockade in Nagorno-Karabakh and to its resolution of 5 October 2023 on the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh after Azerbaijan’s attack and the continuing threats against Armenia,

Added– having regard to its resolution of 18 April 2023 on the implementation of civilian CSDP and other EU civilian security assistance,

Added– having regard to its recommendation of 5 October 2022 to the Council, the Commission and the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on the EU’s strategic relationship and partnership with the Horn of Africa,

Added– having regard to its resolution of 15 June 2023 on the deterioration of fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong, notably the case of Jimmy Lai,

– having regard to the mid-term revision of the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe,

Added– having regard to its resolution of 1 June 2023 on foreign interference in all democratic processes in the European Union, including disinformation and to its resolution of 9 March 2022 on foreign interference in all democratic processes in the European Union,

Added– having regard to its resolutions on breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law, adopted in accordance with Rule 144 of its Rules of Procedure,

Added– having regard to the EU action plan on gender equality and women’s empowerment in external action 2021–2025 (GAP III) and to the EU Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) 2019-2024,

Added– having regard to Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/382 of 4 March 2022 establishing the existence of a mass influx of displaced persons from Ukraine within the meaning of Article 5 of Directive 2001/55/EC, and having the effect of introducing temporary protection, which established temporary protection for people fleeing from Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine,

Added– having regard to the Council of Europe declaration of 16-17 May 2023 entitled ‘Reykjavik Declaration – United around our values’,

Added– having regard to the Declaration of Future Membership of Belarus in the European Union, to the Declaration by the Democratic Forces of Belarus on Solidarity with the People of Ukraine and to the Political Declaration by the Democratic Forces of Belarus, all of which were adopted at the New Belarus Conference on 6 August 2023,

Added– having regard to its resolution of 13 July 2023 on recommendations for reform of European Parliament’s rules on transparency, integrity, accountability and anti-corruption,

Added– having regard to the report of 9 May 2022 on the final outcome of the Conference on the Future of Europe,

Added– having regard to the study entitled ‘Qualified majority voting in common foreign and security policy – A cost of non-Europe report’, published by its Directorate-General for Parliamentary Research Services on 28 August 2023,

– having regard to Rule 54 of its Rules of Procedure,

Changed– having regard to the report of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (A9-0000/2023),(A9-0389/2023),

Change 1

ChangedA. whereas the rules-based international order is increasingly being challenged by autocratic actorsactors, working alone or through concerted action, that attempt to influence or undermine multilateral organisations, set up competing organisations, cause destabilisation through a return to sphere-of-influence thinking and threaten the rules-based international order as well as global and regional security;

Change 2

RemovedB. whereas Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has prompted the EU to give renewed priority to its enlargement policy, which remains its most effective foreign policy instrument;

AddedB. whereas these increasingly autocratic actors also challenge the universality of human rights and undermine democratic standards worldwide; whereas the EU and like-minded partners should defend the rules-based international order as a matter of priority;

Change 3

ChangedC. whereas Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine hasand accentuatedits theconsequences, needincluding foreconomic moreuncertainty, ambitious,food credibleinsecurity and unifiedhigh EUenergy actionprices, onhave theincreased worldinstability stagein andthe hasEU’s highlightedimmediate theneighbourhood, necessitythus forprompting Memberthe StatesEU to demonstrate the requiredgive politicalrenewed willpriority to redefineits theenlargement commonpolicy, foreignwhich andhas securityproven policyto (CFSP)be intoits amost fully-fledgedeffective Europeanforeign policy;policy instrument;

Change 4

Removed1. Stresses that the EU’s ability to act as a global foreign policy player, a reliable international partner and a credible security and defence actor rests on its ability to promote its values while also proactively defining, asserting and defending its interests in the world;

AddedD. whereas in the 2023 enlargement package presented on 8 November 2023, the Commission recommended opening accession negotiations with Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, opening accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina once the necessary degree of compliance with the membership criteria is achieved, and granting candidate status to Georgia on the understanding that certain steps are yet to be taken; whereas the Commission has also presented a Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, which is designed to boost economic integration within the Western Balkans and close the socio-economic gap between the Union and our partners by the end of this decade; whereas funds will be released upon the delivery of individual reform agendas; whereas the enlargement policy must be governed by the Copenhagen criteria and should remain a merit-based process; whereas the EU must accelerate its enlargement policy while accession countries continue to reform and achieve the required benchmarks; whereas consistent messages and a clear path towards integration for candidate countries are vital for keeping the pro-European perspective alive; whereas the countries of the Western Balkans must focus on conflict resolution, reconciliation, alignment with the common foreign and security policy (CFSP), mutual cooperation and reforms in order to achieve the common security and stability of the region;

Removed2. Recalls that the EU should be guided in its external action by the values and principles enshrined in Article 2, Article 3 (5) and Article 21 TEU, which have inspired the EU’s own creation, development and enlargement; believes that the EU should shape its CFSP accordingly, and on the basis of the following four principles: addressing the consequences of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, adapting EU structures and decision-making procedures, reinforcing rules-based multilateralism, and asserting interests through the development of robust strategic partnerships;

AddedE. whereas stability in the Baltic Sea and the Black Sea is paramount for the security of Europe, including its energy security, as declared in the EU’s Strategic Compass and by NATO, and therefore requires comprehensive strategies and meaningful actions; whereas the EU cannot be perceived as a successful and credible global actor if it cannot provide security in its immediate neighbourhood;

AddedF. whereas the Council has extended the temporary protection for people fleeing from Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine from 4 March 2024 to 4 March 2025;

AddedG. whereas the Russian war of aggression has reaffirmed the role of NATO as the cornerstone of its members’ collective defence and confirmed once more the indispensability of a strong transatlantic bond; whereas NATO’s decision to commit a minimum of 2 % of gross domestic product to defence spending has only been implemented by a few EU NATO members; whereas Russia’s intention to dismantle the Euro-Atlantic security architecture failed utterly owing to the heroic defence of Ukraine and the quick and decisive reaction by NATO allies;

AddedH. whereas Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has accentuated the need for more ambitious, credible, strategic and unified EU action on the world stage and for Member States to demonstrate the required political will to strengthen the CFSP and to transform it into a fully fledged European policy;

AddedI. whereas there is an urgent need to operationalise the strategic autonomy of the EU and its Member States, including in the field of defence policy, which will allow the Union to defend its interests without undue reliance on third states, promote its values and strengthen its contribution to global multilateralism, the peaceful resolution of conflict and the development of democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights worldwide;

AddedJ. whereas the increased instability and volatility of the international environment poses multifaceted threats to the security and stability of the Union; whereas the EU needs to strengthen transatlantic relations in response and build strategic partnerships based on respect and mutual trust with like-minded partners in the Global South;

AddedK. whereas on 19 September 2023, Azerbaijan launched an unprovoked military offensive against Nagorno-Karabakh, which ended in an imposed ceasefire between Azerbaijan and the authorities of Nagorno-Karabakh; whereas the renewed hostilities in the South Caucasus are a cause for serious concern and require more proactive EU involvement in the region;

AddedL. whereas growing instability in the EU’s Southern Neighbourhood and the wider Mediterranean, as well as in the Sahel and sub-Saharan Africa, poses serious challenges to the security and stability of the Union and to its ability to become a decisive actor on the international stage;

AddedM. whereas the tensions in the Indo-Pacific region are gaining more relevance, most notably given the increasingly assertive posture adopted by the People’s Republic of China against Taiwan;

AddedN. whereas the decline in media freedom, the ongoing attacks on journalists, the spread of disinformation and foreign interference threaten EU democracies and security; whereas the EU must cooperate with like-minded partners to defend media freedom and freedom of expression and to counter disinformation and foreign interference in third countries;

AddedO. whereas the consequences of climate change are having an increasingly severe impact on different aspects of human life, including the geopolitical order and global security and stability; whereas it is of crucial importance that fighting climate change, which necessitates climate action, aids those that face the most serious repercussions;

AddedP. whereas in view of the collapse of important arms control and disarmament agreements, but also in view of emerging technologies, arms control and non-proliferation should become a focus of EU’s foreign and security policy;

Added1. Underscores that its resolutions on the implementation of the CFSP are a key component of its contribution to EU foreign policy making; underlines that these resolutions manifest the practical implication of the strengthened right of scrutiny in the area of foreign policy conferred on Parliament by the Treaty of Lisbon; recalls that the 2023 resolution is the last resolution on the implementation of the CFSP in this legislative term and aims to serve as a guide for the next EU executive when setting foreign policy priorities for the next term and further implementing them; highlights that in an ever-volatile international environment, the EU needs to simultaneously tackle numerous foreign policy challenges affecting it directly and indirectly, such as the ongoing Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, increasing great power competition, potentially redefining the global balance of power, constant attempts to undermine the multilateral rules-based international order and an increased nexus of foreign and internal crises; strongly believes that in order to stay relevant on the international stage and be able to effectively defend its interests and values, the EU must unleash the political will of the Member States to achieve foreign policy goals through EU-level instruments, increase capacities, work with like-minded partners and regional organisations and focus on providing a competitive offer for the Global South, making as effective a use as possible of all the resources, policies and tools at its disposal as part of the integrated approach; highlights that in order to act as a global player in the current global environment, the EU has to conduct a determined, disciplined and assertive foreign policy that fulfils its own strategic objectives and continue proactively defining, asserting and defending its interests in the world;

Added2. Stresses that the EU’s ability to act as a global foreign policy player, a reliable international partner and a credible security and defence actor rests on the development and strengthening of its external actions within the CFSP, as well as on its ability to proactively define, assert and defend its interests in the world without undue reliance on the resources of third states, which could leave the Union open to internal division, on the reinvigoration of existing partnerships and the creation of new ones, and on the political will to take greater initiative and responsibility on the global stage while effectively safeguarding, defending and promoting its values; further stresses that the Member States need to enable the EU to speak with one voice, thus increasing credibility and preserving coherence; reaffirms, in this context, that it is paramount to strengthen unity and solidarity by further developing a common perception of threats;