Category Archives: EU External Affairs
The EU started to develop a Common Foreign and Security Policy with the Maastricht Treaty (1992). Moreover, in recent years, the EU intensified efforts to promote Human Rights outside its borders and it has played a major role in International Trade and Development Aid.
EU Enlargement continues to be an important pillar of EU’s External Policy. Since 2004 a specific Neighborhood Policy was elaborated to establish good relations with neighboring countries.
In the hope that a united Europe can take a stronger role on the world stage, COMECE together with Justice and Peace Europe aims to assist the EU in its vocation to promote global peace and assume its responsibility for supporting sustainable development and social justice across the world. COMECE is assisted in this mission by a Commission on the External Relations of the European Union.
10/11/2025
Verso quale Europa? Mgr Crociata’s contribution on the 40th anniversary of the foundation of Scuola sociale diocesana di Cognegliano Veneto [IT]
Press Release
STATEMENT | A Catholic message in view of the 7th AU-EU Summit in Angola
In view of the upcoming African Union–European Union Summit, taking place on 24-25 November 2025 in Luanda (Angola), the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE), together with its partners, issues on Monday, 10 November 2025, a joint statement entitled “For a partnership that brings justice for the African people”. The document advocates for “a Europe-Africa partnership grounded in mutual respect and … Continue reading
07/11/2025
Mgr Crociata’s speech on “Le Chiese e l’Unione Europea: consensi e dissensi” – Event “La solitudine dell’Europa: le Chiese e l’Unione”, Albino, Italy [IT]
News
Brazilian church delegation visits Brussels to highlight the situation of indigenous communities in South America
A delegation from the Indigenous Missionary Council (CIMI), led by His Eminence Cardinal Leonardo Steiner, visited the Secretariat of COMECE on Monday, 27 October 2025, to draw attention to the situation of indigenous peoples in Brazil and across South America. Photo Gallery The delegation emphasised the importance of maintaining high due diligence standards for companies, including European businesses operating in South America, in order to … Continue reading
03/10/2025
Note from the President of COMECE, Mgr Crociata, on countries at war [EN – IT]
Press Release
ASSEMBLY | Note from the President of COMECE on the crisis in Gaza, Ukraine and Sudan
In the context of the autumn plenary assembly of the bishops of the European Union, taking place in Brussels from 1 to 3 October, the COMECE Secretariat is publishing a note from the President of COMECE, Mgr Mariano Crociata, on the dramatic situation in the Gaza Strip, in Ukraine, Sudan, and in other regions affected by war. Below is the text of the note in … Continue reading
26/09/2025
Fr Barrios Prieto’s speech at XXV International Conference in Krakow: Role of Christians in the Process of European Integration
News
COMECE Secretary General participates in SECAM’s 20th Plenary Assembly in Kigali
At the invitation of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), COMECE Secretary General, Fr. Manuel Barrios Prieto, took part in the 20th Plenary Assembly held in Kigali, Rwanda, from 30 July to 4 August 2025. Read SECAM Assembly Final Declaration This offered Fr. Barrios Prieto the possibility of sharing some of the most recent COMECE initiatives concerning Africa, including joint activities with … Continue reading
Solidarity visit to Ukraine: COMECE witnesses the scale of human loss
A delegation of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE), led by its President Mgr. Mariano Crociata, concluded an official visit to Ukraine from 16 to 18 July 2025. The visit reaffirmed COMECE’s closeness to the people of Ukraine and its unwavering solidarity with those suffering from the consequences of Russia’s ongoing war of aggression. Photo Gallery | Mgr. Crociata’s video … Continue reading