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

Event

EVENT | COMECE invites you to the Conference “Is there a just war?” in Rome on October 25

War is always a defeat, but is it always avoidable? Even in the Third Millennium, are there circumstances that make it as tragic as it is inevitable? How does Catholic moral teaching compare with a situation of conflict that is ever closer to us? Do European history and thought still have an authoritative message to convey on these issues? On 25 October next, at the … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, Policy Areas, Press

News

Latin American community leaders in dialogue with the EU at COMECE

A delegation of religious, indigenous and youth community leaders from five Latin American countries visited the COMECE Secretariat on Tuesday, 24 September 2024, to engage in a dialogue with EU policy-makers and representatives of faith-based organisations. Focus: impact of mining on local communities, and perspectives for a people-centred, just and sustainable transition. Photo Gallery COMECE hosted a delegation of nine religious, indigenous and youth community … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

STATEMENT | A heartfelt appeal for peace in the Holy Land and all the Middle East

In light of the tragic anniversary of the October 7 terrorist attacks on the Israeli people, and in the face of the exceptionally grave humanitarian crisis in the region, alongside the dangerous Middle Eastern political dynamics involving an increasing number of actors, COMECE issues the following statement from its President, H.E. Mgr. Mariano Crociata, on Thursday, 3 October 2024. Download the Statement “On behalf of … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, Plenary Assembly, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

COMECE bishops in Łomża support EU future enlargements: “A strong message of hope for citizens seeking peace and justice”

On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the 2004 major enlargement of the European Union, the bishops of COMECE, gathered in Łomża (Poland) for their Spring Assembly from April 17-19, 2024, adopted the statement ‘Let us continue building Europe together’. The bishops support the prospect of future enlargements: “It is not only a geopolitical necessity for stability in our continent, but a strong message … Continue reading »