Foreign Affairs Committee (AFET) - European Parliament

During this exchange, senior UN and EU officials will outline why the EU-UN peacebuilding partnership has consistently demonstrated its value. As deliberations intensify for the next MFF (2028–2034) and the Global Europe instrument, the discussion will explore the value of sustained investment in peacebuilding, including through concrete examples to showcase impact and will seek the perspectives and guidance of MEPs in advancing that case.


Guests:
· Elizabeth Spehar, Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding and Peace Support, United Nations Department of Political & Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) and Department of Peace Operations (DPO).
· Peter Wagner, Director of Service for Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI), European Commission

Guests present to answer questions:
· Agi Veres, Deputy Director if the Crisis Bureau and Director of the Geneva Representation Office, UNDP
· Stella Ronner, Deputy Managing Director Multilateral affairs, European External Action Service
Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Next ordinary AFET committee meeting will be held on:

Wednesday 3 June 2026, room ANTALL 2Q2, Brussels

Meetings are webstreamed with the exception of agenda items held "in camera".

AFET - DROI calendar of meetings 2026
Meeting documents
Webstreaming
Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

DRAFT REPORT Towards an EU strategy to protect and strengthen the international justice system and its institutions, mechanisms and partners
Committee on Foreign Affairs
Mounir Satouri

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

From 25 to 27 May, a delegation of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) of six MEPs led by the Committee Chair David McAllister (EPP, Germany) will visit Cape Town, Pretoria, and Johannesburg, South Africa.
The delegation will meet South African political leaders and partners to discuss deepening EU-South Africa cooperation. Key topics include international relations in a changing geopolitical landscape, security, political ties, and the Global Gateway, the EU's strategy for global infrastructure investment.
AFET Missions
Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

From 25 to 27 May, a delegation of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) of six MEPs led by the Committee Chair David McAllister (EPP, Germany) will visit Cape Town, Pretoria, and Johannesburg, South Africa.
The delegation will meet South African political leaders and partners to discuss deepening EU-South Africa cooperation. Key topics include international relations in a changing geopolitical landscape, security, political ties, and the Global Gateway, the EU's strategy for global infrastructure investment.
Press release
Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine created renewed momentum for EU enlargement. As the European Parliament highlights, enlargement is a key driver for long-term stability, security and economic development. Economic output per person has increased over the past two decades across the Western Balkans, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. However, convergence with the EU remains low. Without stronger reform and investment, full convergence and integration could be delayed by several decades. Foreign direct investment as a share of gross national product is generally higher in the enlargement countries examined than in the EU, but not consistently directed to sectors that support long-term growth. Trade integration with the EU has deepened significantly, supported by existing agreements. The EU remains the main trade partner for the enlargement countries examined, and has benefited from these relations, including agricultural trade with Ukraine. Trade patterns across countries and sectors remain uneven, and exposure to other global actors, particularly China, has increased in some cases. Enlargement countries perform well in terms of digital infrastructure. However, significant gaps remain in regulatory frameworks and innovation capacity, which is critical to adopting artificial intelligence. Progress in aligning with the EU acquis and deeper integration into the EU market and programmes could support increased trade and investment, while contributing to faster economic convergence.
Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

A delegation of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) visited Seoul and Tokyo from 31 March to 2 April, led by Committee Chair David McAllister (EPP, Germany).
During the visit, MEPs discussed how to further strengthen the EU's strategic cooperation with South Korea and Japan, two of its key like-minded partners in the Indo-Pacific region. Discussions focused on issues of mutual interest against the backdrop of a rapidly shifting global landscape and challenges to the rules-based international order, shaped by evolving dynamics across the Indo-Pacific region, Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, and conflict in the Middle East.
Press release
Mission report : [EN]
Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

DRAFT REPORT on EU-Syria political relations
Committee on Foreign Affairs
Nathalie Loiseau

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

DRAFT REPORT on a new co-ownership for the future of Euro-Mediterranean relations – the Pact for the Mediterranean
Committee on Foreign Affairs
Nicola Zingaretti

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

OPINION on the proposal for a Council Directive amending Directive (EU) 2015/637 on the coordination and cooperation measures to facilitate consular protection for unrepresented citizens of the Union in third countries and Directive (EU) 2019/997 establishing an EU Emergency Travel Document
Committee on Foreign Affairs
Nacho Sánchez Amor

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

MISSION REPORT following the mission to the Republic of Korea and Japan from 30 March to 2 April 2026
Committee on Foreign Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

OPINION on the Council Decision amending Decision (EU) 2021/1764 on the Association of the Overseas Countries and Territories with the European Union including relations between the European Union on the one hand, and Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark on the other
Committee on Foreign Affairs
Urmas Paet

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Next AFET committee meeting will be held on:

Wednesday 3 and Thursday 4 June 2026, room ANTALL 2Q2, Brussels

Meetings are webstreamed with the exception of agenda items held "in camera".

AFET - DROI calendar of meetings 2026
Meeting documents
Webstreaming
Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

African and European parliamentarians will meet in Eswatini from 12 to 14 May to discuss possible ways to cooperate on security, youth policy and critical raw materials.
Committee on Foreign Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

REPORT on the 2025 Commission report on Türkiye
Committee on Foreign Affairs
Nacho Sánchez Amor

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP