Implementation of the common foreign and security policy – annual report 2025

The European Parliament adopted by 392 votes to 179, with 83 abstentions, a resolution on the implementation of the common foreign and security policy - annual report 2025.

In an increasingly unstable international environment, Members asserted that, to remain influential on the international stage, the EU needs to pursue a determined, disciplined, and firm foreign policy that serves its own strategic objectives and continue to defend its interests worldwide. The EU's external action should be guided by the values ​​and principles that inspired its creation and development, particularly in the areas of democracy, the rule of law, and the universality and indivisibility of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

From Ukraine to the Caucasus, from the Middle East to the Sahel, via the Arctic and beyond, an arc of instability has formed around Europe. In this context, Parliament invited the VP/HR to develop a forward-looking and more coherent CFSP to: a) defend the rules-based international order; b) foster cooperation on shared interests; c) respect the neutrality of certain Member States and ensure that diplomatic action is conducted in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations; d) establish clear boundaries and non-negotiable positions; and e) increase the impact and reach of the EU's external action.

Shaping the rules-based international order

Parliament warned that the erosion of the rules-based international order leads to instability and conflict worldwide, undermining our own security and prosperity. It stressed that Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine constitutes a blatant violation of international law and the UN Charter, and an unprecedented attack on the European peace order since the Second World War. Members reaffirmed their firm conviction that Russian aggression must be thwarted and that Ukraine must prevail in order to deter any attempt to challenge borders by military means. They emphasised the urgent need for a long-term strategic approach towards Moscow and its allies.

Members welcomed the conclusions of the meeting of the Coalition of the Willing held in Paris on 6 January 2026, including the politically and legally binding commitments defining a common approach to supporting Ukraine, sustaining its long-term military capabilities, and restoring peace and security in the event of a future armed attack by Russia. The resolution stressed that any peace deal must feature robust and credible security guarantees for Ukraine, be negotiated by its elected leadership and have the backing of its people. It cautioned against Russias disingenuous proposals aimed at prolonging the war, and warned that any settlement imposed by Russia or rewarding its aggression would undermine European security.

Parliament welcomed the recent commitment to ending the war in Gaza and takes notes of the 20-point peace plan proposed by the US administration and endorsed in UN Security Council Resolution 2803, which must now be fully implemented. While the plan constitutes a crucial first step towards ending the conflict, several challenges remain, in particular concerning enforcement, governance, accountability and maintaining trust. The full disarmament of Hamas, its exclusion from any form of governance in Gaza, the reform and empowerment of the Palestinian Authority and the withdrawal of Israeli forces remain central goals for any further steps. The EU is called on to play an active role in shaping the peace and reconstruction process.

Fostering cooperation based on shared interests

Parliament affirmed that the transatlantic partnership with the United States and Canada within NATO constitutes the core of the European security architecture, while deeming the American national security strategy insufficient in the face of the Russian threat. It also criticised the United States' flawed view of the European Union and reaffirmed Parliament's commitment to the values ​​of democracy and human rights.

Members regretted that the United States is now pursuing a more transactional approach to foreign policy, characterised by a reduced commitment to multilateralism and European security.

Parliament firmly rejects any attempt to undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark, including Greenland, and recalled that Denmark, including Greenland, is a member of NATO. It condemned the use of unilateral trade threats and economic intimidation against Denmark and other EU Member States, which constitute a form of coercion incompatible with international law and the fundamental principles of cooperation among NATO allies. Members support the position that Greenland is not for sale and stressed that Greenland must not be used as a tool to divide the European Union. The EU is called upon to respond firmly, collectively, and decisively, and to resist any such actions.

The resolution underlined the strategic importance of the Western Balkans and supports credible political and security cooperation on their merit-based path to EU integration. It affirmed that the future of the Western Balkans, Ukraine, and Moldova lies within the EU, in accordance with the aspirations of their peoples. The EU is called upon to maintain the momentum of enlargement and to provide all candidate countries with sufficient technical and financial assistance.

Members expressed their concerns about the pressure exerted by Russia and China in Central Asia and stressed the urgent need to strengthen the EU's political and economic presence in the region.

Parliament condemned Irans destabilising role in the Middle East, in particular its military support for various non-state actors, such as Hamas and Hezbollah, as well as for the Houthi, which undermines regional security. It called on the Council to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as an EU terrorist organisation. It expressed its unwavering solidarity with the Iranian people in their ongoing pursuit of fundamental rights and freedoms and condemned the systematic and disproportionate use of force by Iranian security forces against peaceful demonstrators. It called on the Iranian authorities to immediately cease the use of violence against peaceful assemblies. It also expressed its deep concern regarding the advancement of Irans nuclear programme, which exceeds any credible civilian justification.

Defining non-negotiable positions that we treat as inviolable

Parliament recalled that the EU's credibility depends on its ability to act consistently, particularly with regard to its external representation, and on its capacity to act decisively to protect its citizens and interests. It stressed that the threshold for decisive action should be communicated consistently and must include clear responses to serious human rights violations, systematic repression, and serious corruption and kleptocracy. It supports expanding the EUs Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime (Magnitsky-style human rights sanctions regime) to cover systemic repression and corruption.

Text adopted by Parliament, single reading