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REPORT (2023/2117(INI))

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

A-9-2023-0389

Committee on Foreign Affairs · Rapporteur: David McAllister

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✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 28 Sept 2026

Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.

Parliament's resolution on the implementation of the common foreign and security policy in 2023 sets out four objectives: addressing the consequences of Russia's war against Ukraine, adapting EU structures and decision-making, defending rules-based multilateralism, and building strategic alliances. It demands Russia withdraw its troops from Ukraine, calls for more military and financial support to Ukraine, and asks for sanctions on Russia and Belarus to be tightened. It calls for a gradual switch to qualified majority voting in foreign policy, more parliamentary oversight, and a bigger CFSP budget. It backs enlargement for Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia and the Western Balkans, and sets out positions on the South Caucasus, the Middle East, Iran, China, Taiwan, Africa, Latin America and the Arctic.

Committee position. The Committee on Foreign Affairs proposes that Parliament adopt the resolution, which sets out four objectives for the CFSP and recommends that the EU be guided by the values and principles that inspired its creation, development and enlargement.

Key points

  1. Parliament says the EU should shape its foreign policy around four objectives: the consequences of Russia's war against Ukraine, adapting EU structures and decision-making, defending rules-based multilateralism, and building strategic alliances.
  2. It condemns Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, demands Russia withdraw its troops from Ukraine and other occupied territories, and condemns the role of the Lukashenka regime in Belarus.
  3. It condemns Russia's occupation of Georgian regions and the undermining of Moldova's sovereignty, and encourages security cooperation with Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova against hybrid threats, disinformation and cyberattacks.
  4. It calls on member states to keep providing Ukraine with political, humanitarian, military, infrastructure, economic and financial support, and welcomes the Commission proposal on the Ukraine Facility.
  5. It calls for more sanctions on Russia and Belarus, an immediate embargo on Russian fossil fuels, and measures against third countries that help Russia circumvent sanctions, such as Iran.
  6. It calls for a special international tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine, designation of the Wagner Group as a terrorist organisation, and use of immobilised Russian assets for Ukraine's reconstruction.
  7. It calls for the Council to gradually switch to qualified majority voting in foreign policy areas without military or defence implications, and for treaty revision to enshrine this.
  8. It asks for stronger parliamentary oversight of EU external action, a CFSP budget with one budget line per civilian mission, and more funding for the CFSP and EU external action.
  9. It calls for reform of the UN Security Council, including limiting the use of veto and a permanent EU seat, and for the EU to speak with one voice in the UN.
  10. It welcomes the 2023 enlargement package and the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, and calls for progress on accession talks with Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Ukraine, Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
  11. It condemns Azerbaijan's attack on Nagorno-Karabakh, calls for the safe return of Armenians and protection of their heritage, and asks the EU to strengthen its civilian mission in Armenia and consider sanctions on Azerbaijan.
  12. It condemns Hamas's attacks on Israel, supports a two-state solution on the 1967 borders, calls for humanitarian pauses in Gaza, and condemns Iran's crackdown, its military support to Russia and its nuclear enrichment.

Who is affected

  • Ukraine: the resolution demands Russia withdraw and calls for continued military, financial and reconstruction support.
  • Russia and Belarus: the resolution calls for more sanctions, isolation and accountability for war crimes.
  • EU candidate countries and the Western Balkans: the resolution backs their accession paths and calls for alignment with EU sanctions.
  • Armenia and Azerbaijan: the resolution calls for peace talks, protection of Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh and possible sanctions on Azerbaijan.
  • China: the resolution calls for de-risking economic dependence, condemns human rights abuses and opposes pressure on Taiwan.

Figures and deadlines

  • 2 % of gross domestic product: NATO's defence spending benchmark, which the resolution says only a few EU NATO members meet.
  • 35 %: the European collaborative defence equipment procurement benchmark the resolution says must be reached.
  • 20 %: the European collaborative defence research and technology benchmark the resolution says must be reached.
  • 4 March 2024 to 4 March 2025: the extension of temporary protection for people fleeing Russia's war against Ukraine.
  • 2 November 2024: the extended mandate of the EU Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina's Operation Althea.
  • 60 % purity: the level of uranium enrichment by Iran that the resolution expresses grave concern about.
  • EUR 150 billion: the Global Gateway Africa-Europe Investment Package welcomed by the resolution.
  • nearly 60 %: the share of aquifer resources that cross political territorial borders, cited by the resolution.

Legal basis: Article 21 and Article 36 of the Treaty on European Union