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.
EU External Affairs, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

🔴 COMECE warmly welcomes Bishop Treanor’s appointment as new Apostolic Nuncio to the EU

COMECE President Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich SJ congratulates Monsignor Noël Treanor (Ireland) on his appointment as Apostolic Nuncio to the European Union on Saturday 26 November 2022. Cardinal Hollerich: “Bishop Treanor is a paramount figure for the Church in the European Union”. Today, Saturday 26 November 2022, Pope Francis has appointed H.E. Mgr. Noël Treanor, Bishop of the Irish diocese of Down and Connor, as the … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

War in Ukraine | COMECE: “what else must happen so that finally an end is put to this madness of war?”

In the context of recent events in Ukraine and Poland, COMECE releases on Wednesday 16 November 2022 a statement elaborated by the COMECE Commission on the External Relations of the EU during its second annual meeting. The Commission is chaired by H.E. Mgr. Rimantas Norvila. Download the Statement “We express our deep concern over the latest developments in Ukraine and Poland. Since the beginning of … Continue reading »

COMECE Assembly Statement | A heartfelt appeal for peace in Ukraine and in the whole of Europe [EN, FR, IT, DE]

EU External Affairs, Policy Areas, Publications
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EU External Affairs, Plenary Assembly, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

COMECE Plenary Assembly | EU Bishops appeal for peace in Ukraine and in the whole of Europe

Gathered in Brussels on 12-14 October 2022, the Plenary Assembly of the Bishop Delegates of the EU Episcopates makes a strong appeal to Russia to immediately suspend the hostilities against Ukraine and to all parties to work towards a solution to the conflict. They also encourage strong EU cohesion. Read the Statement EN | FR | IT | DE In the context of the 2022 … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, Policy Areas, Press

News

COMECE welcomes launch of EU accession talks with Albania and North Macedonia

The Bishops of the European Union congratulate Albania and North Macedonia on the opening of EU accession negotiations. Fr. Barrios Prieto: “a credible EU enlargement process is of strategic importance for stability, prosperity and peace on the European continent”. The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) congratulates Albania and North Macedonia on the opening of EU accessions talks officially lauched on … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, Policy Areas, Press

News

High-level Ukrainian interreligious delegation visits COMECE

A high-level delegation of religious leaders from Ukraine visited the Secretariat of COMECE on Wednesday 15 June 2022 and exchanged with representatives of EU Churches and religious communities on perspectives for peace in their war-torn country and ways to support the Ukrainian population. Photo Gallery The meeting was organised in collaboration with the EU office of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung. The delegation was received by Fr. Manuel … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, Policy Areas, Press, Youth policies

News

Catholic Youth Convention: Young European Catholics meet with Commissioner Várhelyi

The full video of the 2nd session of the 2nd Catholic Youth Convention on the Future of Europe is now available on our YouTube channel. The event, entitled “Sharing our dreams on the Future of Europe”, was held on Thursday 15 June 2022 by COMECE and Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung. Watch the video It featured a dialogue meeting on ‘Youth and South-East Europe’ between young participants from all … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

COMECE to the European Council: “renew your efforts for peace in Ukraine and implement a credible EU enlargement process”

In a statement released on Friday 17 June 2022, COMECE urges the European leaders gathering for the upcoming European Council to “renew their efforts for peace in Ukraine and to implement a credible EU enlargement process.”  Read the Statement In the context of the ongoing geopolitical shifts dramatically accelerated by the Russian invasion against Ukraine, the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union … Continue reading »