In order to effectively manage the current international challenges, the European Union must act unitedly, which means that foreign policy decisions must not be made unanimously, but by a qualified majority, the European Parliament stated in its report adopted at its plenary session in Strasbourg on Thursday.
According to the report, which was adopted with 474 votes, 113 against and 102 abstentions, decisions made by qualified majority are necessary because a unanimous decision entitles the member states to veto the decision that other countries want to make.
The representatives expect the change in the rules of foreign policy decision-making to increase the efficiency of the EU's foreign and security policy, as well as the response to threats and defense capabilities.
They stated: due to the increasing instability of the world, the rise of authoritarianism and disinformation, the EU must take a leading role in strengthening multilateral partnerships and promoting the global protection of democracy and human rights. The EU should also ensure its strategic sovereignty and be less dependent on key technological areas, infrastructures and supply chains, they pointed out.
Another EP report on the Common Security and Defense Policy, adopted by 369 votes to 197 and 123 abstentions, calls for a robust EU defense policy that can respond to threats such as terrorism, cyber-attacks, political used migration and foreign intervention. Finally, the EP called for increased, credible military and security assistance to Ukraine and asked the EU member states to increase their bilateral military and security support to Kyiv.
MTI
Cover image source: European Parliament
