EU External Affairs

The EU started to develop a Common Foreign and Security Policy with the Maastricht Treaty (1993), aiming at preserving world peace, promoting international cooperation and consolidating democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights.

The Lisbon Treaty (2009) provided the Union with legal personality and an institutional structure for implementing these tasks through the EU’s external action. Inspired by the Church’s vision for Europe as “a promise of peace” and a “source of development”, COMECE closely accompanies the major fields of EU external policies (Common Foreign and Security Policy, Development Cooperation & Humanitarian Assistance, Trade Policy, Human Rights Policy and Neighbourhood & Enlargement Policy) and seeks to contribute to strengthening EU’s leading global role as an integrating force for a more peaceful, just, welcoming and sustainable world.

COMECE is assisted in this mission by the Commission on EU External Relations.

3 October 2024

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

View of the city of Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives. (Photo: SJ…
#EU External Affairs
22 April 2024

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…
#EU External Affairs
5 April 2024

Delegation of the Mediterranean Youth Council visits COMECE, meets with EP President Metsola

The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) welcomed a delegation from…
#EU External Affairs #Justice & Fundamental Rights #Migration & Asylum #Youth policies