Changes from report parliamentary committee draft to plenary report

Added79. Notes from the Questionnaire and the EEAS 2024 report that the EEAS detected approximately 27 000 alerts, of which 348 required further investigation; observes that 57 of the latter were confirmed as cyberattacks, and 5 had a significant impact on the EEAS operations; notes with satisfaction that the EEAS identified the attackers’ tactics, techniques and procedures and used this analysis to strengthen its countermeasures; asks for clarification regarding the extent to which these attacks affected the institution’s activities;

Buildings and security

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Changed60.80. Notes that in 2024 the EEAS had a global network of 328 Union delegation buildings used as offices and residences for Heads of Delegation and three office buildings at Headquarters in Brussels; notes that, by the end of 2024, the EEAS occupied three buildings in Brussels with a total surface area of 87 506 m² and made use of 175 office buildings for Union delegations in third countries, amounting to 287 000 m² of space; notes further notes that the Union owned 23%23 % of these Union delegation premises, while the remaining 77%77 % were rented; notes with concern from the Questionnaire a shortage in resources limiting the implementation of the EEAS buildings policy, whereas the EEAS would need more infrastructure experts to increase its capacity to conduct real estate projects;

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Changed61.81. Notes with appreciation that the EEAS reaffirmed its commitment to preserving the network of 145 Union delegations and reinforcing the One Delegation principle; observes that ongoing modernisation seeks to enhance efficiency and align the network with Union’s priorities while addressing budgetary constraints; underlines that, until financial conditions improve, strict savings measures, cost-sharing discussions with the Commission, and targeted reinforcement of key Union delegations will continue; expressescalls someon the EEAS to implement a periodic workload assessment and staffing-need methodology for delegations, linked to risk level and mandate expansion, to prevent burnout and improve retention; expresses concerns about the plan to reduceimplement new distinctions in terms of categories and resourcing among delegations; deplores that reducing the dimension of some Union delegations and to cutcutting staffstaff, in a shift from its original focus on development aid and economic cooperation to some strategic interests, whichrisks seemsundermining the operational activities and presence of the Union in third countries, and hampering the EEAS´ ability to penalisefulfil its mandate and defend Union values, with particular incidence to Union relations with the Global South and the Southern Neighbourhood; callcalls on the EEAS to maintain its pivotal role and strategic priority in the Mediterranean region based on a comprehensive assessment of the Union’s geopolitical challenges;challenges, while continuing its ongoing engagement with the Eastern neighbouring countries;

82. Reiterates that budgetary constraints could lead to excessive closures of Union embassies and postponing security installations in a number of Union delegations hampering the EEAS’ ability to fulfil its mandate and defend Union values and properly ensure the duty of care to all staff in Union delegations; urges the Members States to provide enough financing to the EEAS and the Commission to ensure that the Union maintains its network of delegations untouched as a signal of its global engagement;

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Added83. Calls on the EEAS to strengthen practical coordination mechanisms with the Member States’ diplomatic missions in third countries, including through shared services, joint logistical arrangements and enhanced information-sharing, in order to maximise efficiency and ensure optimal use of the Union and national resources;

84. Notes from the Questionnaire that, in 2024, the EEAS continued implementing its collaborative space and new-ways-of-working policy, including Union-wide branding for its headquarters and delegations; highlights that the approach replaces individual offices with multi-purpose areas to improve space efficiency, support teamwork, and reduce environmental impact; notes further that these projects are discussed with staff representatives through the EEAS Staff Committee and that a dedicated staff survey was launched for the Belmont building;

85. Notes from the EEAS 2024 report that the EEAS successfully achieved its key 2024 real estate priorities, including completing the NEO building refurbishment, relocating crisis management and intelligence divisions to a more secure and energy-efficient site and good progress made in renovating of the Schuman building;

86. Notes from the Questionnaire that due to the decline in the level of security in the world, the EEAS had to strengthen security structures in 2024; welcomes the EUR 10 million increase in the 2025 budget to strengthen security infrastructure in Union delegations; observes the EEAS’ objective of reducing the number of Union delegations that are non-compliant with security standards by approximately 15 % through new installations and the replacement of obsolete systems;

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Changed66.87. Notes from the EEAS 2024 report that by the end of 2024, co-location arrangements increased to 137 (45 with Member States and partner countries and 92 with other Union partners); observes that co-location has grown rapidly, more than doubling in the past six years and increasing more than six-fold since 2011; underlines that co-location now accounts for 8%8 % of Union delegation office space and involves 80 Union delegations, with sustainability principles consistently applied across all shared working environments;

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Changed67.88. Welcomes the fact that the EEAS is focused on ensuring that its buildings are accessible to people with disabilities and reduced mobility; notes from the Questionnaire that in 2024 there were regular meetings held with the EEAS real estate division, security division and other Commission services to exchange best practices onon, among others, accessibility and evacuation of buildings among other;buildings;

Environment and sustainability

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Changed68.89. Highlights the EEAS’s energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives in 2024, including LED re-lamping and ‘New Ways of Working’ renovations in the Schuman building, insulation of water and heating pipes, optimisation of HVAC systems, and standardised temperature set points; notes the progressive installation of central waste sorting stations in the Schuman building and full deployment in the Belmont and NEO buildings, alongside ongoing energy-saving measures; acknowledges the procurement of 100񒂣%100 % renewable electricity (EUR 1,569 million) and on-site solar generation of 22,286 kWh, with the Schuman building’s decarbonisation path towards 2050 combining short-term management and insulation measures with long-term upgrades such as photovoltaic installations and replacement of gas heating with heat pumps;

90. Notes the EEAS’s first comprehensive assessment of its 2024 carbon footprint in the context of Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) registration; notes that that assessment covered headquarters buildings and centrally-managed Scope 3 activities, and showed zero market-based Scope 2 emissions due to 100 % renewable electricity purchases, reduction in carbon intensity from 4,6 tCO₂e/FTE in 2019 to 3,4 tCO₂e/FTE in 2024 (–28 %), with the footprint comprising approximately 20 % Scope 1 and 80 % Scope 3 emissions;

91. Welcomes the EEAS’s strengthened commitment to sustainable mobility, including the adoption of the new Commuting Policy for Headquarters at the end of 2024, which increases public transport reimbursement to 90 % as of January 2025; acknowledges the implementation of measures to reduce environmental impact, achieving 64 % of air travel distances in economy class in 2024 (exceeding the EMAS target of 60 % by 2030), prioritising rail for short trips, projecting a reduction in staff commuting by car from 17 % in 2024 to 13 % in 2027, and promoting cycling and walking initiatives through improved facilities and awareness campaigns;

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Changed71.92. Appreciates that that sustainability considerations are embedded into procurement through green public procurement (GPP) clauses in tender templates; notes that 38 % of high-value Headquarters contracts and 87 % of procurement templates included GPP clauses in 2024; notes with satisfaction that Union delegations applied green criteria in procurements for vehicles, IT equipment, and cleaning services, and further efforts are planned for 2025, including a dedicated GPP info hub, for Union delegations, on the HIVE platform; notes that 16 high-value tenders concluded with environmental performance indicators and 6 contracts were signed with relevance to GPP in 2024;

Interinstitutional cooperation

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Changed72.93. Notes from the Questionnaire that the EEAS continued its close cooperation with OLAF and the relevant Commission Directorates-Generaldirectorates-general in implementing the Commission anti-fraud strategy, notably through the development of joint trainingstraining programmes and a shared anti-fraud training pathway, as well as through targeted actions to address specific fraud risks in Union delegations; notes with satisfaction that the EEAS strengthened its operational framework by signing working arrangements with the EPPO in June 2024;

94. Recalls that, in 2023, Parliament, the Council and the EEAS held technical discussions regarding the replacement of the 2002 Institutional Agreement between Parliament and the Council in the field of Common Foreign and Security Policy; notes with concern from the Follow-up report that no developments took place in this matter in 2024 due to the European Elections and the process of nomination of the new Commission;

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Removed74. Welcomes the fact that EEAS communication actions are coordinated and harmonised with other institutions through the EU Communication Directors’ network, interinstitutional platforms with Parliament and the Commission and the RELEX subgroup on Protection of Cultural Heritage and Internal Cultural Relations;

Added95. Recalls that, in accordance with the Treaties, the Union’s external action and the EEAS are intended to support, coordinate and complement the diplomatic action of the Member States; underlines the importance of close cooperation in order to avoid inefficiencies;

Added96. Welcomes the fact that EEAS communication actions are coordinated and harmonised with other institutions through the EU Communication Directors’ network, interinstitutional platforms with Parliament and the Commission and the RELEX subgroup on Protection of Cultural Heritage and International Cultural Relations;

Communication

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Changed75.97. Notes from the Questionnaire that the EEAS allocated EUR 1 745 000 – supplemented by EUR 107 968,67 in C5 credits – for public information and events, with a 99,70 % implementation rate in 2024; highlights that this funding supported the procurement of digital services, communication and graphic products, and the organisation of public events such as Europe Day; further notes that the budget also financed the production and dissemination of online content, the management of corporate social media accounts, and assistance to Union delegations in strengthening their digital presence;

98. Notes from the Questionnaire and the EEAS 2024 report that the EEAS significantly expanded its strategic communication, public outreach and cultural diplomacy, combining global digital campaigns, major public events and strengthened International Cultural Relations activities; observes that digital campaigns reached broad audiences and promoted core Union priorities, including human rights, climate action and support for Ukraine, while innovative formats helped engage younger demographics; notes that public events such as the Europe Day Open Day and the EEAS Visitor Programme contributed to greater understanding of Union policies; highlights that the EEAS advanced cultural initiatives, including the Museum Cooperation Dialogue with Africa, workshops on cultural diversity, and a cultural heritage conference organised with the rotating Presidency of the Council, while preparing flagship projects such as the Union’s participation in Expo Osaka;

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Changed77.99. Encourages the continuation of the process of increasing communication with third-country nationals on Union policy, as well as increased coordination efforts to raise the profile of Union-funded projects, particularly in candidate countries, in order to counter attempts by actors acting in bad faith to undermine the Union’s efforts; reiterates, furthermore, its call on the Commission to ensure full visibility and public awareness of the Union’s support and investments in third countries with a clear signposting and the flag of the Union;

100. Notes from the Questionnaire and the EEAS 2024 report that in 2024 the EEAS reinforced its strategic commitment to Union data and digital sovereignty by ensuring strict GDPR-compliant social media practices, strengthening security and access controls, and reducing dependence on single external providers; highlights that the diversification of platforms-including the expansion to Bluesky and Threads-together with the use of Union-hosted management tools, systematic staff training, and regular risk and disinformation assessments, helps in increasing the resilience and safeguarding Union’s communication sovereignty;

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Added101. Notes that the EEAS reached, through its EUvsDisinfo campaign, over 38 million users and documented more than 18 000 cases, demonstrating the scale and systemic nature of pro-Kremlin disinformation in 2024