(Photo: Rokas Tenys/Shutterstock)
In light of the forthcoming European Council meeting on 26–27 June 2025 and in the context of the discussions on the post-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework, the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) publishes on Monday, 23 June 2025, the Reflection Paper entitled “The European Union’s Role in a Changing World: From Founding Vision to Global Mission”. With this paper, COMECE calls on the EU “to remain faithful to its vocation to be a project of peace that promotes sustainable human development and practices solidarity”. Download the Reflection Paper | Executive Summaries [EN – IT – ES – FR – DE]
In a context of growing geopolitical tensions and erosion of multilateralism, the EU’s global role is increasingly being challenged. Its vocation as a project of peace, rooted in the values of human dignity, solidarity and justice, calls for a renewal of the founding fathers’ vision with ‘creative fidelity’ to its political, cultural and spiritual roots.
As the EU decision makers are shifting their attention towards defence and competitiveness, COMECE publishes this reflection paper calling on the EU to remain faithful to its core mission promoting peace and sustainable human development, while practicing solidarity, both within and beyond its borders. According to COMECE, this should not only be a political and legal commitment, but also a moral responsibility.
Prepared by the COMECE Commission on EU External Relations, the document seeks to contribute to the debate on the European Union’s global role ahead of the meeting of the European Council to take place on 26–27 June. The reflection paper also serves as a compass orienting the ongoing discussions about the post-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) towards relaunching the EU as a major peace and development actor.
Aiming at renewing the EU’s founding vision with ‘creative fidelity’ with respect to the ideals and values that had inspired its very conception, the reflection paper proposes a value-based, people-centred and coherent approach across EU external action. Concretely, it offers specific policy recommendations in three areas: Defence, Security & Peace; EU Enlargement & Neighbourhood Policy; Trade & International Partnerships.
COMECE urges that “defence spending remains proportionate to the actual needs” and calls for the elaboration of a ‘European Peace Strategy’ as a guiding framework to strengthen the EU’s integral approach to human security and peace. At the same time, the COMECE paper recommends the “pursuit of a citizen-centred, fair and merit-based enlargement process, while calling for EU internal reforms to ensure the Union’s capacity to integrate future members”. Finally, the document encourages European policy-makers to “seek international partnerships that do not merely balance, but combine self-interest with values in a coherent way”.
As the Catholic Church celebrated the Jubilee of Governments on 20–22 June 2025, today’s publication of the COMECE reflection paper is also an opportunity to invite all those entrusted with political responsibility in the EU to reflect on their vocation to discern and exercise governance as a service to peace, justice and the common good.
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Download Reflection Paper [EN]
Executive Summaries [EN – IT – ES – FR – DE]
Reflection paper 23062025 | EU’s role in a changing world [PAPER EN]- Reflection paper 23062025 | EU’s role in a changing world EXSUM EN]
- Reflection paper 23062025 | EU’s role in a changing world [EXSUM FR]
- Reflection paper 23062025 | EU’s role in a changing world [EXSUM IT]
- Reflection paper 23062025 | EU’s role in a changing world [EXSUM ES]
- Reflection paper 23062025 | EU’s role in a changing world [EXSUM DE]