The European Parliament, on 10 March, adopted two resolutions advocating a stronger stance for the EU on a wide range of foreign and security policy issues, especially as the European External Action Service (EAS) comes into effect. The resolutions were based on reports written by Gabriele Albertini (EPP, Italy) on the Council’s assessment of the EU’s foreign and security policy around the world in 2008 and another drafted by Security and Defence Subcommittee Chair Arnaud Danjean (EPP, France) on the ways the Lisbon Treaty will affect the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). Both votes passed comfortably.

In the debate on the two reports, members of the European Parliament said their institution should be systematically consulted before CSDP missions were launched in order to give the EU’s foreign policy democratic legitimacy. Danjean said that “greater responsibility for the European Parliament in these sensitive areas is indispensable for legitimising a policy whose main aim is to safeguard the security of European citizens”.

The MEPs also called for greater parliamentary involvement in the appointment of EU special representatives, as well as in senior appointments to the EAS. Their involvement in day-by-day foreign affairs actions should extend to greater access to documents, they added, even where sensitive or classified.

Given Parliament’s extended budgetary powers under the Lisbon Treaty, MEPs called for a review of interinstitutional agreements to make sure the new procedures were implemented appropriately.

The deputies argued for greater funding for the EU’s action abroad, particularly for unpredictable events, such as international emergencies. They also asked the Council and Commission to significantly increase resources for civilian engagements in Afghanistan.

In response to Danjean’s report on foreign and security policy under the Lisbon Treaty, MEPs called for a permanent EU operations centre to be established under the supervision of the High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Catherine Ashton.

MEPs raised concerns about nuclear proliferation, particularly in regard to Iran and North Korea, noting that the European Union has “undertaken to use every means at its disposal to prevent, deter, halt and, where possible, eliminate proliferation programmes,” but called for more to be done.

During the debate, members urged moves to lead to faster deployment of CSDP missions and EU forces, including establishing a European air transport fleet, a new generation of observation satellites and a maritime surveillance system.

MEPs want greater parliamentary involvement in senior appointments to the EAS