BETA


2020/2113(INI) Promoting regional stability and security in the broader Middle East region

Progress: Procedure completed

RoleCommitteeRapporteurShadows
Lead AFET PINEDA Manu (icon: GUE/NGL GUE/NGL) DANJEAN Arnaud (icon: EPP EPP), MIKSER Sven (icon: S&D S&D), YENBOU Salima (icon: Renew Renew), SOLÉ Jordi (icon: Verts/ALE Verts/ALE), MARIANI Thierry (icon: ID ID)
Lead committee dossier:
Legal Basis:
RoP 54

Events

2022/11/23
   EP - Results of vote in Parliament
2022/11/23
   EP - Decision by Parliament
Details

The European Parliament adopted by 469 votes to 67, with 104 abstentions, a legislative resolution on promoting regional stability and security in the broader Middle East region.

Current state of play

The countries in the broader Middle East region, which encompasses the area between the Mediterranean Sea and the Persian Gulf, are very diverse but strategic for the EU given its geographical position and common ties and requires a long-term approach and coordinated policy. The influence and role of different EU Member States in the region is also very unequal, owing to their specific historic, cultural and socioeconomic ties. These differences hamper a more coherent and effective approach by the EU. There are many state, ethnic and religious rivalries in the Persian Gulf that risk not only perpetuating current crises, such as that in Yemen, but also spreading instability throughout the region. The unresolved conflicts in Libya and Syria are of great concern and hamper the stability of the whole region. Third party actors such as Iran, Russia and Turkey are present in these countries and military and paramilitary groups are involved in these conflicts, such as the Russian Wagner group.

Members highlighted that the current situation in the broader Middle East region is characterised by the persistence of ongoing conflicts, including crippling proxy ones with a regional dimension and crises with multiple sources, which makes the development of a global European strategy particularly complex, as any contribution has to be multidimensional and adapted to the specificities of each situation, while maintaining a coherent regional and international dimension.

The resolution stressed that the EU promotes a peace and stability agenda and is ready to cooperate closely and share conflict prevention, mediation and counterterrorism methods, experiences and best practices, both at a bilateral and regional level.

Stressing that EU security is interdependent with security in the Middle East, Members make it clear that EU funding instruments, such as the European Peace Facility and the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe, and humanitarian aid and operations directed at the region should make an important contribution to the stability and prosperity of the region.

Instability in the region

The region has undergone historical changes since the Arab Spring in 2011. Parliament stressed, however, that the instability that has followed has been caused, inter alia , by the decision of certain authoritarian regimes to use violence against peaceful protests and criticism. The EU is called on to foster multilateralism and regional integration in the broader Middle East through the EU-Gulf Cooperation Council institutional partnership and the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership, including strong inter-parliamentary relations.

More specifically, the resolution underlined that a stable, secure, united, and prosperous Libya is a priority for the EU. As for Yemen, the EU should suspend the export of arms that are used in the war in Yemen, given the serious risk of violations of international humanitarian law or humanitarian law.

Members recalled that peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority on a definitive settlement of the conflict based on a solution enabling both countries to live side-by-side in peace and security is a perquisite for regional stability. They called for the lifting of all restrictive measures on the movement of people and goods imposed by Israel on the territory, but which are having a devastating impact on the population.

Moreover, the EU should pay special attention to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict due to its exceptional length and to current perspectives that do not allow for a realistic path towards stability across the Middle East.

Stability and security options

Parliament highlighted that any form of cooperation must be based on a human security approach and respect for international law, a rules-based world order and the shared objectives of promoting human rights and democracy.

The resolution welcomed the EU’s commitment to establishing a weapons of mass destruction–free zone in the Middle East.

Underlining the need to diversify the EU’s sources of energy, Parliament called on the EEAS and the Commission to conduct an assessment of the implications in the field of security of any agreement to import oil, gas or hydrogen into the EU.

Parliament deplored that the United Arab Emirates has provided a safe haven for Russian oligarchs avoiding EU sanctions on Russia. The EU and its Member States should make a firm commitment to legitimate governments fighting against jihadist networks.

Citizens and human rights

Parliament noted that people ‑ to ‑ people contacts and cooperation in fields such as trade education, science and culture play an important role in the region and can make a key contribution to regional stability and the bridging of divides both with the EU and among the different states. It welcomed the proposal presented by the Commission for visa exemptions for citizens of Kuwait and Qatar.

The EU is called on to increase diplomatic and political relations for democracy, human rights and the rule of law, as demanded by peaceful popular movements across the Middle East and North Africa region. Parliament stressed that rule of law and human rights, good governance and anti-corruption bring benefits to people and foster stability in the region. The prospect of being arbitrarily detained and tortured constitutes an unacceptable form of insecurity for all the citizens of the region and causes more social unrest, mistrust and resentment towards national institutions.

The resolution also called on the authorities in the region to uphold the ban on torture under all circumstances, as enshrined in particular in the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, which most of the countries in the region have signed and ratified. It also called for the abolition of the death penalty throughout the region.

Lastly, highlighting the gravity of violence against women in the region, Members called for the EU and its Member States to urge all parties to conflict in the region to take special measures to protect women and girls from gender-based violence, particularly rape and other forms of sexual abuse, in situations of armed conflict.

Documents
2022/11/22
   EP - Debate in Parliament
2022/10/21
   EP - Committee report tabled for plenary
Details

The Committee on Foreign Affairs adopted the own-initiative report by Manu PINEDA (GUE/NGL, ES) on promoting regional stability and security in the broader Middle East region.

Current state of play

The countries in the broader Middle East region, which encompasses the area between the Mediterranean Sea and the Persian Gulf, are very diverse but strategic for the EU given its geographical position and common ties and requires a long-term approach and coordinated policy. The influence and role of different EU Member States in the region is also very unequal, owing to their specific historic, cultural and socioeconomic ties. These differences hamper a more coherent and effective approach by the EU. There are many state, ethnic and religious rivalries in the Persian Gulf that risk not only perpetuating current crises, such as that in Yemen, but also spreading instability throughout the region. The unresolved conflicts in Libya and Syria are of great concern and hamper the stability of the whole region. Third party actors such as Iran, Russia and Turkey are present in these countries and military and paramilitary groups are involved in these conflicts, such as the Russian Wagner group.

Members highlighted that the current situation in the broader Middle East region is characterised by the persistence of ongoing conflicts , including crippling proxy ones with a regional dimension and crises with multiple sources, which makes the development of a global European strategy particularly complex, as any contribution has to be multidimensional and adapted to the specificities of each situation, while maintaining a coherent regional and international dimension.

The report stressed that the EU promotes a peace and stability agenda and is ready to cooperate closely and share conflict prevention, mediation and counterterrorism methods, experiences and best practices , both at a bilateral and regional level.

Stressing that EU security is interdependent with security in the Middle East, Members make it clear that EU funding instruments , such as the European Peace Facility and the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe, and humanitarian aid and operations directed at the region should make an important contribution to the stability and prosperity of the region.

Instability in the region

The region has undergone historical changes since the Arab Spring in 2011. Members stressed, however, that the instability that has followed has been caused, inter alia , by the decision of certain authoritarian regimes to use violence against peaceful protests and criticism. The EU is called on to foster multilateralism and regional integration in the broader Middle East through the EU-Gulf Cooperation Council institutional partnership and the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership, including strong inter-parliamentary relations.

More specifically, the report underlined that a stable, secure, united, and prosperous Libya is a priority for the EU. As for Yemen , the EU should suspend the export of arms that are used in the war in Yemen, given the serious risk of violations of international humanitarian law or humanitarian law.

Members recalled that peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority on a definitive settlement of the conflict based on a solution enabling both countries to live side-by-side in peace and security is a perquisite for regional stability. They called for the lifting of all restrictive measures on the movement of people and goods imposed by Israel on the territory, but which are having a devastating impact on the population.

Moreover, the EU should pay special attention to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict due to its exceptional length and to current perspectives that do not allow for a realistic path towards stability across the Middle East.

Stability and security options

Members highlighted that any form of cooperation must be based on a human security approach and respect for international law , a rules-based world order and the shared objectives of promoting human rights and democracy. Members deplored the fact that neighbouring countries interfere too often in each other’s internal crises and that such interference – whether political or even military in nature – is harmful, causes long-term damage to inter-state relations in the region and prevents conflicts from being resolved. Third countries are called on to refrain from exporting arms to countries affected by internal conflicts. They also condemned Iran’s recent use of ballistic missiles and drone attacks against the Iraqi Kurdistan Region as an unjustified violation of Iraqi sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The report welcomed the EU’s commitment to establishing a weapons of mass destruction–free zone in the Middle East.

While noting the strategic dimension of energy cooperation with the Middle East region, Members underlined the need to diversify the EU’s sources of energy. They called on the EU to increase its engagement with the countries of the broader Middle East on the European Green Deal.

On terrorism , the EU and its Member States should make a firm commitment to legitimate governments fighting against jihadist networks.

Citizens and human rights

The report noted that people ‑ to ‑ people contacts and cooperation in fields such as trade education, science and culture play an important role in the region and can make a key contribution to regional stability and the bridging of divides both with the EU and among the different states. Members welcomed the proposal presented by the Commission for visa exemptions for citizens of Kuwait and Qatar.

The EU is called on to increase diplomatic and political relations for democracy, human rights and the rule of law, as demanded by peaceful popular movements across the Middle East and North Africa region. In addition, highlighting the gravity of violence against women in the region, Members called for the EU and its Member States to urge all parties to conflict in the region to take special measures to protect women and girls from gender-based violence, particularly rape and other forms of sexual abuse, in situations of armed conflict.

Documents
2022/10/13
   EP - Vote in committee
2022/06/23
   EP - Amendments tabled in committee
Documents
2022/04/13
   EP - Committee draft report
Documents
2020/09/17
   EP - Committee referral announced in Parliament
2020/04/02
   EP - PINEDA Manu (GUE/NGL) appointed as rapporteur in AFET

Documents

Activities

Votes

Promotion de la stabilité et de la sécurité dans la région du Moyen-Orient au sens large - Promoting regional stability and security in the broader Middle East region - Förderung von regionaler Stabilität und Sicherheit in den Ländern des Nahen und Mittleren Ostens - A9-0256/2022 - Manu Pineda - Après le considérant R - Am 2 #

2022/11/23 Outcome: +: 434, 0: 204, -: 1
DE IT FR PL ES HU CZ BE RO NL AT SE EL LT SK IE BG HR LV PT FI SI CY EE MT LU DK
Total
85
68
72
47
54
18
21
20
31
27
19
20
16
11
12
12
15
12
7
19
11
8
5
7
5
6
11
icon: PPE PPE
156

Hungary PPE

1

Finland PPE

2

Cyprus PPE

2

Estonia PPE

For (1)

1

Malta PPE

For (1)

1

Luxembourg PPE

2

Denmark PPE

Against (1)

1
icon: Verts/ALE Verts/ALE
69

Italy Verts/ALE

3

Poland Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Czechia Verts/ALE

3

Belgium Verts/ALE

3

Netherlands Verts/ALE

3

Austria Verts/ALE

3

Sweden Verts/ALE

3

Lithuania Verts/ALE

2

Ireland Verts/ALE

2

Portugal Verts/ALE

1

Finland Verts/ALE

2

Luxembourg Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Denmark Verts/ALE

2
icon: ID ID
59

Czechia ID

2
3

Finland ID

1

Estonia ID

For (1)

1
icon: ECR ECR
57

Belgium ECR

2

Romania ECR

1

Greece ECR

1

Lithuania ECR

1

Slovakia ECR

For (1)

1

Bulgaria ECR

1

Croatia ECR

1

Latvia ECR

For (1)

1
icon: NI NI
38

Germany NI

For (1)

Abstain (1)

2

Netherlands NI

1

Lithuania NI

Abstain (1)

1

Slovakia NI

2

Croatia NI

Abstain (1)

2

Latvia NI

Abstain (1)

1
icon: S&D S&D
134

Czechia S&D

Abstain (1)

1

Belgium S&D

For (1)

3

Greece S&D

Abstain (1)

2

Lithuania S&D

2

Slovakia S&D

2

Latvia S&D

For (1)

1

Finland S&D

2

Slovenia S&D

2

Cyprus S&D

2

Estonia S&D

2
4

Luxembourg S&D

Abstain (1)

1
icon: Renew Renew
95

Italy Renew

Abstain (1)

3

Hungary Renew

Abstain (1)

1

Belgium Renew

4

Austria Renew

Abstain (1)

1

Sweden Renew

3

Greece Renew

Abstain (1)

1

Lithuania Renew

1

Ireland Renew

2

Bulgaria Renew

3

Croatia Renew

Abstain (1)

1

Latvia Renew

For (1)

1

Finland Renew

3

Slovenia Renew

2

Estonia Renew

For (1)

Abstain (2)

3

Luxembourg Renew

2
icon: The Left The Left
31

Czechia The Left

1

Belgium The Left

Abstain (1)

1

Netherlands The Left

Abstain (1)

1

Sweden The Left

Abstain (1)

1

Ireland The Left

3

Finland The Left

Abstain (1)

1

Cyprus The Left

Abstain (1)

1

Denmark The Left

1

A9-0256/2022 - Manu Pineda - Proposition de résolution (ensemble du texte) #

2022/11/23 Outcome: +: 469, 0: 104, -: 67
DE ES IT FR RO PL PT SE BG NL AT DK HR EL FI LT SI IE HU BE SK LU EE MT CY LV CZ
Total
87
53
67
72
31
48
19
20
15
27
19
11
12
16
11
10
8
12
18
21
12
6
7
5
5
7
21
icon: PPE PPE
157

Denmark PPE

For (1)

1

Finland PPE

2

Hungary PPE

1

Luxembourg PPE

2

Estonia PPE

For (1)

1

Malta PPE

For (1)

1

Cyprus PPE

2
icon: S&D S&D
134

Greece S&D

2

Lithuania S&D

2

Slovenia S&D

2

Slovakia S&D

2

Luxembourg S&D

For (1)

1

Estonia S&D

2

Cyprus S&D

2

Latvia S&D

For (1)

1

Czechia S&D

For (1)

1
icon: Renew Renew
95

Poland Renew

1
3

Austria Renew

For (1)

1

Croatia Renew

For (1)

1

Greece Renew

1

Finland Renew

3

Lithuania Renew

1

Slovenia Renew

2

Ireland Renew

2

Hungary Renew

For (1)

1

Belgium Renew

Abstain (1)

4

Luxembourg Renew

2

Estonia Renew

3

Latvia Renew

For (1)

1
icon: Verts/ALE Verts/ALE
69

Spain Verts/ALE

Abstain (1)

4

Italy Verts/ALE

3

Poland Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Portugal Verts/ALE

1

Sweden Verts/ALE

3

Netherlands Verts/ALE

3

Austria Verts/ALE

3

Denmark Verts/ALE

2

Finland Verts/ALE

2

Lithuania Verts/ALE

2

Ireland Verts/ALE

2

Belgium Verts/ALE

3

Luxembourg Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Czechia Verts/ALE

3
icon: The Left The Left
31

Portugal The Left

4

Sweden The Left

For (1)

1

Netherlands The Left

For (1)

1

Denmark The Left

1

Finland The Left

For (1)

1

Ireland The Left

Against (2)

3

Belgium The Left

Abstain (1)

1

Cyprus The Left

Abstain (1)

1

Czechia The Left

Against (1)

1
icon: NI NI
37

Germany NI

2

Netherlands NI

Against (1)

1

Croatia NI

Abstain (1)

2

Slovakia NI

2

Latvia NI

Against (1)

1
icon: ECR ECR
58

Romania ECR

Abstain (1)

1

Sweden ECR

3

Bulgaria ECR

Against (1)

1

Netherlands ECR

Abstain (1)

4

Croatia ECR

Abstain (1)

1

Greece ECR

Against (1)

1

Lithuania ECR

Abstain (1)

1

Slovakia ECR

Abstain (1)

1

Latvia ECR

Abstain (1)

1
icon: ID ID
59

Austria ID

3

Finland ID

Abstain (1)

1

Estonia ID

Abstain (1)

1

Czechia ID

Against (2)

2
AmendmentsDossier
277 2020/2113(INI)
2022/06/23 AFET 277 amendments...
source: 734.094

History

(these mark the time of scraping, not the official date of the change)

docs/2
date
2022-11-23T00:00:00
docs
url: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-9-2022-0408_EN.html title: T9-0408/2022
type
Text adopted by Parliament, single reading
body
EP
events/4
date
2022-11-23T00:00:00
type
Decision by Parliament
body
EP
docs
url: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-9-2022-0408_EN.html title: T9-0408/2022
events/4
date
2022-11-23T00:00:00
type
Results of vote in Parliament
body
EP
docs
url: https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/sda.do?id=58973&l=en title: Results of vote in Parliament
events/5
date
2022-11-23T00:00:00
type
Decision by Parliament
body
EP
docs
url: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-9-2022-0408_EN.html title: T9-0408/2022
events/5/summary
  • The European Parliament adopted by 469 votes to 67, with 104 abstentions, a legislative resolution on promoting regional stability and security in the broader Middle East region.
  • Current state of play
  • The countries in the broader Middle East region, which encompasses the area between the Mediterranean Sea and the Persian Gulf, are very diverse but strategic for the EU given its geographical position and common ties and requires a long-term approach and coordinated policy. The influence and role of different EU Member States in the region is also very unequal, owing to their specific historic, cultural and socioeconomic ties. These differences hamper a more coherent and effective approach by the EU. There are many state, ethnic and religious rivalries in the Persian Gulf that risk not only perpetuating current crises, such as that in Yemen, but also spreading instability throughout the region. The unresolved conflicts in Libya and Syria are of great concern and hamper the stability of the whole region. Third party actors such as Iran, Russia and Turkey are present in these countries and military and paramilitary groups are involved in these conflicts, such as the Russian Wagner group.
  • Members highlighted that the current situation in the broader Middle East region is characterised by the persistence of ongoing conflicts, including crippling proxy ones with a regional dimension and crises with multiple sources, which makes the development of a global European strategy particularly complex, as any contribution has to be multidimensional and adapted to the specificities of each situation, while maintaining a coherent regional and international dimension.
  • The resolution stressed that the EU promotes a peace and stability agenda and is ready to cooperate closely and share conflict prevention, mediation and counterterrorism methods, experiences and best practices, both at a bilateral and regional level.
  • Stressing that EU security is interdependent with security in the Middle East, Members make it clear that EU funding instruments, such as the European Peace Facility and the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe, and humanitarian aid and operations directed at the region should make an important contribution to the stability and prosperity of the region.
  • Instability in the region
  • The region has undergone historical changes since the Arab Spring in 2011. Parliament stressed, however, that the instability that has followed has been caused, inter alia , by the decision of certain authoritarian regimes to use violence against peaceful protests and criticism. The EU is called on to foster multilateralism and regional integration in the broader Middle East through the EU-Gulf Cooperation Council institutional partnership and the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership, including strong inter-parliamentary relations.
  • More specifically, the resolution underlined that a stable, secure, united, and prosperous Libya is a priority for the EU. As for Yemen, the EU should suspend the export of arms that are used in the war in Yemen, given the serious risk of violations of international humanitarian law or humanitarian law.
  • Members recalled that peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority on a definitive settlement of the conflict based on a solution enabling both countries to live side-by-side in peace and security is a perquisite for regional stability. They called for the lifting of all restrictive measures on the movement of people and goods imposed by Israel on the territory, but which are having a devastating impact on the population.
  • Moreover, the EU should pay special attention to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict due to its exceptional length and to current perspectives that do not allow for a realistic path towards stability across the Middle East.
  • Stability and security options
  • Parliament highlighted that any form of cooperation must be based on a human security approach and respect for international law, a rules-based world order and the shared objectives of promoting human rights and democracy.
  • The resolution welcomed the EU’s commitment to establishing a weapons of mass destruction–free zone in the Middle East.
  • Underlining the need to diversify the EU’s sources of energy, Parliament called on the EEAS and the Commission to conduct an assessment of the implications in the field of security of any agreement to import oil, gas or hydrogen into the EU.
  • Parliament deplored that the United Arab Emirates has provided a safe haven for Russian oligarchs avoiding EU sanctions on Russia. The EU and its Member States should make a firm commitment to legitimate governments fighting against jihadist networks.
  • Citizens and human rights
  • Parliament noted that people ‑ to ‑ people contacts and cooperation in fields such as trade education, science and culture play an important role in the region and can make a key contribution to regional stability and the bridging of divides both with the EU and among the different states. It welcomed the proposal presented by the Commission for visa exemptions for citizens of Kuwait and Qatar.
  • The EU is called on to increase diplomatic and political relations for democracy, human rights and the rule of law, as demanded by peaceful popular movements across the Middle East and North Africa region. Parliament stressed that rule of law and human rights, good governance and anti-corruption bring benefits to people and foster stability in the region. The prospect of being arbitrarily detained and tortured constitutes an unacceptable form of insecurity for all the citizens of the region and causes more social unrest, mistrust and resentment towards national institutions.
  • The resolution also called on the authorities in the region to uphold the ban on torture under all circumstances, as enshrined in particular in the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, which most of the countries in the region have signed and ratified. It also called for the abolition of the death penalty throughout the region.
  • Lastly, highlighting the gravity of violence against women in the region, Members called for the EU and its Member States to urge all parties to conflict in the region to take special measures to protect women and girls from gender-based violence, particularly rape and other forms of sexual abuse, in situations of armed conflict.
docs/2
date
2022-11-23T00:00:00
docs
url: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-9-2022-0408_EN.html title: T9-0408/2022
type
Text adopted by Parliament, single reading
body
EP
events/3
date
2022-11-22T00:00:00
type
Debate in Parliament
body
EP
docs
url: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/CRE-9-2022-11-22-TOC_EN.html title: Debate in Parliament
events/4
date
2022-11-23T00:00:00
type
Decision by Parliament
body
EP
docs
url: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-9-2022-0408_EN.html title: T9-0408/2022
forecasts
  • date: 2022-11-22T00:00:00 title: Debate in plenary scheduled
  • date: 2022-11-23T00:00:00 title: Vote in plenary scheduled
procedure/stage_reached
Old
Awaiting Parliament's vote
New
Procedure completed
forecasts/1
date
2022-11-23T00:00:00
title
Vote in plenary scheduled
forecasts/0
date
2022-11-22T00:00:00
title
Debate in plenary scheduled
forecasts/0
date
2022-11-21T00:00:00
title
Indicative plenary sitting date
docs/2
date
2022-10-21T00:00:00
docs
url: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/A-9-2022-0256_EN.html title: A9-0256/2022
type
Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading
body
EP
events/2/summary
  • The Committee on Foreign Affairs adopted the own-initiative report by Manu PINEDA (GUE/NGL, ES) on promoting regional stability and security in the broader Middle East region.
  • Current state of play
  • The countries in the broader Middle East region, which encompasses the area between the Mediterranean Sea and the Persian Gulf, are very diverse but strategic for the EU given its geographical position and common ties and requires a long-term approach and coordinated policy. The influence and role of different EU Member States in the region is also very unequal, owing to their specific historic, cultural and socioeconomic ties. These differences hamper a more coherent and effective approach by the EU. There are many state, ethnic and religious rivalries in the Persian Gulf that risk not only perpetuating current crises, such as that in Yemen, but also spreading instability throughout the region. The unresolved conflicts in Libya and Syria are of great concern and hamper the stability of the whole region. Third party actors such as Iran, Russia and Turkey are present in these countries and military and paramilitary groups are involved in these conflicts, such as the Russian Wagner group.
  • Members highlighted that the current situation in the broader Middle East region is characterised by the persistence of ongoing conflicts , including crippling proxy ones with a regional dimension and crises with multiple sources, which makes the development of a global European strategy particularly complex, as any contribution has to be multidimensional and adapted to the specificities of each situation, while maintaining a coherent regional and international dimension.
  • The report stressed that the EU promotes a peace and stability agenda and is ready to cooperate closely and share conflict prevention, mediation and counterterrorism methods, experiences and best practices , both at a bilateral and regional level.
  • Stressing that EU security is interdependent with security in the Middle East, Members make it clear that EU funding instruments , such as the European Peace Facility and the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe, and humanitarian aid and operations directed at the region should make an important contribution to the stability and prosperity of the region.
  • Instability in the region
  • The region has undergone historical changes since the Arab Spring in 2011. Members stressed, however, that the instability that has followed has been caused, inter alia , by the decision of certain authoritarian regimes to use violence against peaceful protests and criticism. The EU is called on to foster multilateralism and regional integration in the broader Middle East through the EU-Gulf Cooperation Council institutional partnership and the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership, including strong inter-parliamentary relations.
  • More specifically, the report underlined that a stable, secure, united, and prosperous Libya is a priority for the EU. As for Yemen , the EU should suspend the export of arms that are used in the war in Yemen, given the serious risk of violations of international humanitarian law or humanitarian law.
  • Members recalled that peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority on a definitive settlement of the conflict based on a solution enabling both countries to live side-by-side in peace and security is a perquisite for regional stability. They called for the lifting of all restrictive measures on the movement of people and goods imposed by Israel on the territory, but which are having a devastating impact on the population.
  • Moreover, the EU should pay special attention to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict due to its exceptional length and to current perspectives that do not allow for a realistic path towards stability across the Middle East.
  • Stability and security options
  • Members highlighted that any form of cooperation must be based on a human security approach and respect for international law , a rules-based world order and the shared objectives of promoting human rights and democracy. Members deplored the fact that neighbouring countries interfere too often in each other’s internal crises and that such interference – whether political or even military in nature – is harmful, causes long-term damage to inter-state relations in the region and prevents conflicts from being resolved. Third countries are called on to refrain from exporting arms to countries affected by internal conflicts. They also condemned Iran’s recent use of ballistic missiles and drone attacks against the Iraqi Kurdistan Region as an unjustified violation of Iraqi sovereignty and territorial integrity.
  • The report welcomed the EU’s commitment to establishing a weapons of mass destruction–free zone in the Middle East.
  • While noting the strategic dimension of energy cooperation with the Middle East region, Members underlined the need to diversify the EU’s sources of energy. They called on the EU to increase its engagement with the countries of the broader Middle East on the European Green Deal.
  • On terrorism , the EU and its Member States should make a firm commitment to legitimate governments fighting against jihadist networks.
  • Citizens and human rights
  • The report noted that people ‑ to ‑ people contacts and cooperation in fields such as trade education, science and culture play an important role in the region and can make a key contribution to regional stability and the bridging of divides both with the EU and among the different states. Members welcomed the proposal presented by the Commission for visa exemptions for citizens of Kuwait and Qatar.
  • The EU is called on to increase diplomatic and political relations for democracy, human rights and the rule of law, as demanded by peaceful popular movements across the Middle East and North Africa region. In addition, highlighting the gravity of violence against women in the region, Members called for the EU and its Member States to urge all parties to conflict in the region to take special measures to protect women and girls from gender-based violence, particularly rape and other forms of sexual abuse, in situations of armed conflict.
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Relations with the countries of the Middle East
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