Foreign Affairs Committee (AFET) - European Parliament

JOINT STATEMENT by Mr David McALLISTER, Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Mr Dariusz ROSATI, Chair of the Delegation to the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee and Mr Michael GAHLER, AFET standing rapporteur on Ukraine
We are deeply satisfied about today's strong endorsement by the European Parliament of a visa-free regime for Ukrainian citizens, which we have been advocating for years. This is a clear signal of EU solidarity but also the well-deserved outcome of the remarkable reform efforts made by Ukrainian authorities to fulfill all necessary criteria in areas such as border management, fight against corruption and anti-discrimination. It is crucial that these reform efforts are further taken forward, and by no means reverted (...)
Further information
Read the complete statement
Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

AMENDMENTS 71 - 386 - Draft report on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the European Fund for Sustainable Development (EFSD) and establishing the EFSD Guarantee and the EFSD Guarantee Fund
Committee on Foreign Affairs, Committee on Development, Committee on Budgets

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

AMENDMENTS 1 - 195 - Draft report Addressing human rights violations in the context of war crimes, and crimes against humanity, including genocide
Committee on Foreign Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

AFET and DROI Chairs call on the Venezuelan Supreme Court to revise its most recent decision suspending the National Assembly "The recent decision of the Supreme Court to curtail the competences of the National Assembly is a serious breach of the democratic principle of the separation of powers", declared the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Subcommittee on Human rights Chairs, Mr David McAllister (EPP, DE) and Pier Antonio Panzeri (S&D, IT):
"We reiterate the provisions of the EP resolution on Venezuela, adopted on 8 June 2016, which calls on the Venezuelan Government 'to respect the rule of law and the principle of the separation of powers, and recall that separation and non-interference between equally legitimate powers is an essential principle of democratic states guided by the rule of law".

The two Chairs, Mr David McAllister and Mr Pier Antonio Panzeri, speaking on behalf of the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Subcommittee on Human Rights, also expressed their concern regarding the on-going restrictions on human rights in Venezuela: "Unfortunately those bearing the brunt of this crisis are the Venezuelans, who do not have access to basic commodities and health services".
Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

On Tuesday 11 April, 11.30-12.30, the Committees on Foreign Affairs, Development and Budgets will discuss the amendments tabled by Rapporteurs and Members to the proposal for a European Fund for Sustainable Development (EFSD). In the context of the External Investment Plan, the EFSD aims at leveraging at least EUR 44 billion of public and private investments in Africa and in the EU's Southern and Eastern Neighbourhood. The joint committees' vote will take place on 24 April.
Further information
Meeting documents
Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

The Committees on Foreign Affairs, Development and Budgets convened jointly to consider the joint draft report on the legislative proposal for a European Fund for Sustainable Development (EFSD).
The report will define the Parliament's position on this key proposal within the European External Investment Plan, including an EU guarantee, loans and grants for scaling-up private and public investment and enhancing economic prospects in the EU neighbourhood and Africa. Tuesday 21 March 17:30-18:30.
Further information
Draft agenda
Meeting documents
Watch the meeting
More on the EFSD
Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

DRAFT REPORT on EU political relations with ASEAN
Committee on Foreign Affairs
Reinhard Bütikofer

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

The next AFET meeting is scheduled to take place:

in Strasbourg (room: Salvador de Madariaga S1)
- Monday, 3 April 2017, 19:00-20:30


in Brussels (room: JAN 2Q2)
- Monday, 10 April 2017, 15:00-18:30
- Tuesday, 11 April 2017, 08:00-12:30

Further information
Information for visitors
AFET Committee Work in progress
Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

DRAFT REPORT on corruption and human rights in third countries
Committee on Foreign Affairs
Petras Auštrevičius

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

AMENDMENTS 5 - 168 - Draft opinion Establishing the criteria and mechanisms for determining the Member State responsible for examining an application for international protection lodged in one of the Member States by a third-country national or a stateless person (recast)
Committee on Foreign Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

The East and South China Sea is a strategic maritime link and a major trade route with rich fishing grounds and oil and gas reserves. Mounting conflicts between neighbouring countries (in particular China, the Philippines and Vietnam) have resulted in growing security tension and militarisation of the region. The hearing will therefore address security implications of the territorial disputes for global and European security, and the role the EU could play in easing tensions in the region.
Location : Paul-Henri Spaak 5B001
Further information
Draft programme
Presentation by Dr. Eva Pejsova, Senior analyst, EUISS
Presentation by Dr. Frans-Paul van der Putten, Senior Research Fellow, Clingendael
Presentation by Prof. Bernard Oxman, University of Miami
Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

AMENDMENTS 1 - 243 - Draft report Private Security Companies
Committee on Foreign Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

DRAFT OPINION on A Space Strategy for Europe
Committee on Foreign Affairs
Geoffrey Van Orden

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

EU-Turkmenistan relations are in a position to be redefined by the proposed EU-Turkmenistan Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, which will require the consent of the European Parliament (and of the national parliaments of the EU member states). This workshop served as a debate platform with the intention of clarifying the understanding of the current political and societal dynamics in Turkmenistan. Such an agreement should represent a basis to enforce better standards of human rights, rule of law, and democracy in Turkmenistan, as well as for more intensive economic cooperation between the EU and Turkmenistan, which currently faces an economic crisis. The two concepts are apparently complementary but deciding which one constituted the more useful approach for engagement was the central point that structured the discussion. Regardless of the angle from which they approached the issue, however, a majority of participants in the workshop debate expressed support for adoption of the treaty, while some NGO representatives took a more cautious view.
Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

DRAFT OPINION on the impact of international trade and the EU’s trade policies on global value chains
Committee on Foreign Affairs
Pier Antonio Panzeri

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

OPINION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 480/2009 establishing a Guarantee Fund for external actions
Committee on Foreign Affairs
Eduard Kukan

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP