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

Catholic voices on the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive

In a statement released on Thursday 16 March 2023, Catholic organisations call on the European Parliament to adopt a Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) marking “a true turning point in how the EU addresses the threats that corporate activities pose to our Human Family and Common Home”. Read the Statement Given the on-going debate and upcoming vote on the directive in the Legal Affairs … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

COMECE offers recommendations on EU Human Rights Defenders Guidelines 

The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) offers, on Tuesday 7 March 2023, some recommendations to the European Parliament in view of the upcoming debate and vote on the EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders. “It is crucial to strengthen the protection and promotion of human rights and environmental defenders.” Read the document In close dialogue with human rights defenders in … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, Policy Areas, Press

Event

Event “Africa-EU partnership of equals: how can we get there? Is the Global Gateway fit for purpose?”

COMECE and its partners invite you to join the conference “Africa-EU partnership of equals: how can we get there? Is the Global Gateway fit for purpose?”, to be held at the European Parliament (Brussels, Room ASP-1G369) on Tuesday 7 March 2023 from 11:15 to 13:00 (CET). Online participation is also available. Programme (EN – FR) |  Register now! In the context of the 6th AU-EU … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

One year of war in Ukraine | EU Bishops: “stop this madness of war”!

In view of the first anniversary of Russia’s full-scale tragic military invasion of Ukraine, the President of COMECE, Cardinal Hollerich, reiterates the EU Bishops’ appeal to the aggressor to “immediately suspend the hostilities and withdraw its armed forces, in full respect of international law and the territorial integrity of Ukraine”. Read the Statement On Wednesday, 22 February 2023, the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, Policy Areas, Press

Event

COMECE and partners organise webinar on the Brumadinho disaster and the EU due diligence law

On the occasion of the 4th anniversary of the Brumadinho dam collapse, COMECE and its partners organise on Friday 20 January 2023 at 17:00 (CET) an online event to show closeness to all those who have been affected and to highlight the need for EU and international legislators to oblige companies to identify and address dangerous risks across the global value chain. The webinar will … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

COMECE-CEC Christmas message for peace in Ukraine and beyond

The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) and the Conference of European Churches (CEC) highlight a message of love, hope and peace this Christmas, for Ukraine and beyond. Addressing all churches and people across the continent celebrating Christmas in diverse traditions, COMECE President H. Em. Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich SJ and CEC President Rev. Christian Krieger have issued the following message and prayer on Friday … Continue reading »