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, Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

ECUMENISM | COMECE President Mgr. Crociata greets the 2023 CEC General Assembly in Tallinn

The President of COMECE, H.E. Mgr. Mariano Crociata, greeted the participants of the 2023 General Assembly of the Conference of European Churches in Tallinn (Estonia) on Sunday, 18 June 2023. Crociata: “As the tragic war against Ukraine rages on, common understandings and projects are necessary to overcome conflict and create ways of reconciliation and peace”. Speech [EN – IT] Mgr. Mariano Crociata was invited to … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, Policy Areas, Press

News

Full video of the roundtable on EU-CELAC Summit is now available

In view of the upcoming EU-CELAC Summit, COMECE and its partners organised on Tuesday 6 June 2023 a public debate reflecting on ways to make the Summit an occasion to promote global justice and a partnership of equals. The President of COMECE, Mgr. Crociata: “the Summit and its follow-up represent a unique opportunity for a more fraternal world.”  Watch the full video The roundtable event … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

Church and civil society organisations welcome the EP’s adoption of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive

The European Laudato Si’ Alliance (ELSiA) and Pax Christi International welcome the European Parliament’s adoption of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive on Friday, 2 June 2023. Download ELSiA Press Release In a statement, the Alliance welcomes the adoption of the Directive, remaining “hopeful that the proposed text will be supported and strengthened in the course of the inter-institutional dialogue due to start next week”. … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

COMECE and CEC Presidents share a joint message for Pentecost

To mark the occasion of Pentecost, considering the impact of war in Ukraine, resulting in horrific physical, material and spiritual suffering, H.E. Mgr. Mariano Crociata and Rev. Christian Krieger, respectively presidents of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) and of the Conference of European Churches (CEC), issue the following message on Friday, 26 May 2023. Download the message Since the … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

COMECE and EU decision-makers discuss ways to promote peace in Ukraine at the European Parliament

COMECE gathered Church representatives, EU policy-makers and civil society actors at the European Parliament, in Brussels, on Thursday 25 May 2023, in a roundtable dedicated to the war in Ukraine and on-going security challenges in the EU’s Eastern neighbourhood. Mgr. Vokál: “The EU needs to offer to the continent a renewed strategic vision for stability, justice and peace”. Read Mgr. Vokál’s speech   Against the … Continue reading »