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REPORT (2023/2105(INI))

On the role of the European Parliament and its parliamentary diplomacy in the EU’s foreign and security policy

A-9-2023-0405

Committee on Foreign Affairs · Rapporteur: Jordi Solé

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A committee report on the role of the European Parliament and its parliamentary diplomacy in the EU's foreign and security policy. It welcomes Parliament's growing role, says Parliament is not fully recognised in the 'Team Europe' approach, and asks for stronger coordination, scrutiny and information rights. It calls for an interinstitutional Team Europe pilot programme in selected non-EU countries, for Parliament's consent role to be respected, and for EU ambassadors and special representatives to be confirmed only after a positive evaluation by Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs. It asks for updated agreements on political accountability and access to sensitive information, and for Parliament to be involved in strategic foreign policy documents and in scrutiny of restrictive measures and external financing. It stresses human rights, democracy support, election observation, gender equality and relations with national parliaments and enlargement countries, and denounces bans and sanctions against MEPs by non-EU countries.

Committee position. The Committee on Foreign Affairs proposes that Parliament welcome its growing diplomatic role, ask for fuller recognition in the Team Europe approach, and demand stronger scrutiny, information rights and coordination with the Commission, the Council and the EEAS.

Key points

  1. Welcomes Parliament's growing role in EU external action, combining legislative, budgetary and scrutiny powers with engagement with international organisations, countries, societies and individuals outside the EU.
  2. Regrets that Parliament is not fully recognised by the Commission, the Council and the EEAS as an integral player in the 'Team Europe' approach, and sees untapped potential for its diplomatic role.
  3. Highlights the work of committees on external affairs and of standing delegations as forums for political dialogue with non-EU countries and international organisations.
  4. Calls for better coordination, planning and priority-setting for Parliament's missions abroad, for full support from EU delegations and the EEAS, and for resources for the EEAS Crisis Response Centre.
  5. Calls for better visibility for Parliament's debates and resolutions on human rights, and for findings from election observation and democracy support to be integrated into committee, delegation and plenary work.
  6. Calls for strengthened coordination with the Commission on supporting parliamentary democracy worldwide, and for the network with national parliaments on democracy support to become a regular institutional venue.
  7. Stresses the need for gender balance in all activities and missions outside the EU and for gender equality experts in parliamentary assistance actions and programmes.
  8. Calls for reinforced Parliament oversight of EU foreign and security policy, more accountability and transparency from the EEAS and the Commission's external services, and an update of the 2010 Declaration on Political Accountability.
  9. Insists on Parliament's right to information on CFSP matters under Article 36 TEU, including timely access to reports, country strategies and confidential information, and on finalising the update of the 2002 Interinstitutional Agreement on access to sensitive information.
  10. Takes the view that EU ambassadors in strategic countries and EU special representatives should be confirmed only after a positive evaluation from Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs.
  11. Calls for an interinstitutional Team Europe pilot programme in selected non-EU countries, integrating Parliament's tools with those of the EEAS, Commission and Member States.
  12. Denounces bans on Parliament delegations and MEPs entering some countries and threats and sanctions against MEPs, and insists the Council and Member States take immediate and robust action, including sanctions if deemed necessary.

Who is affected

  • The Commission, the Council and the EEAS, which are asked to recognise Parliament as a full player and to improve coordination and information-sharing.
  • EU delegations, which are asked to support Parliament's missions and publicise Parliament's work in host countries.
  • National parliaments of Member States and of enlargement and neighbourhood countries, whose role in EU accession and cooperation is to be strengthened.
  • Non-EU countries that ban Parliament delegations or MEPs or impose sanctions on them, which are denounced and may face EU action.
  • Human rights defenders, journalists, parliamentarians at risk and vulnerable groups, for whom Parliament seeks coordinated support.

Figures and deadlines

  • 45 standing delegations maintain and deepen relations with parliaments from non-EU countries, regions and organisations.
  • Article 36 TEU requires the VP/HR to consult Parliament regularly on CFSP and to appear before Parliament at least twice a year.
  • Article 218(10) TFEU provides that Parliament 'shall be immediately and fully informed at all stages of the procedure' for negotiations of international agreements.
  • Article 5(7) of Council Decision 2010/427/EU states that Union Delegations shall respond to the needs of other institutions, in particular the European Parliament.
  • The Interinstitutional Agreement of 20 November 2002 concerns Parliament's access to sensitive Council information in security and defence policy and needs updating.
  • The Declaration on Political Accountability of 20 July 2010 by the VP/HR should be updated to redefine EEAS-Parliament relations.
  • Sustainable Development Goal 5 is to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
  • UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) on women and peace and security is committed to by all EU Member States and Parliament.

Legal basis: Articles 14(1), 21 and 36 of the Treaty on European Union.