How to watch the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET)

Committee on Foreign Affairs – Extraordinary Meeting – Structured Dialogue with Commissioner Marta Kos

Opening and Commission strategy on enlargement

Michael Gahler and 12 others

The acting chair opens the structured dialogue with Commissioner Kos, who outlines the geopolitical rationale, tools and country files for a more credible and political enlargement, followed by coordinators’ questions on conditionality, EU reforms, safeguards and fiscal impacts. A further targeted Q&A drills into Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, CBAM effects and connectivity via the South Caucasus, clarifying gradual integration, Growth Plan conditions and strategic corridors.

In this chapter

1. Opening and Commission overview on enlargementMichael Gahler
2. First coordinators’ round: conditionality, EU reform and safeguardsMichael Gahler
3. Targeted Q&A on Kosovo, Bosnia, CBAM and connectivityRiho Terras

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Committee on Foreign Affairs Ordinary meeting

Authors’ responses on typology, power systems and EU gaps

David McAllister and 1 other

The authors provide case examples for each category of OCGs, clarify the notion of organized crime as a strategic power system, delimit the study’s legal scope, and highlight weaknesses in the EU framework, particularly on asset recovery and external cooperation, relative to OCGs’ evolving geopolitical role.

In this chapter

1. Authors’ replies: Typology examples and new geopolitical actorsDavid McAllister
2. Authors’ replies: Power systems, definitions, and scope of study
3. Authors’ replies: EU framework gaps, enforcement and strategyJoana de Deus Pereira

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Committee on Foreign Affairs Ordinary meeting

MEPs’ questions on actors, political capture and EU capacities

David McAllister and 5 others

MEPs Michel, Nacho, Orlando, Brown and Searle ask for concrete examples across the typology, raise concerns about political infiltration and power systems, assess EU and Europol tools, and query the concepts of narco-states, Palermo Convention implementation, and prevention policies.

In this chapter

1. Q&A: Michel and Nacho: concrete actors and political influenceDavid McAllister
2. Q&A: Orlando: power systems, Italian mafias, Palermo ConventionLeoluca Orlando
3. Q&A: Brown and Searle: EU institutions, Europol, narco-states, preventionDavid McAllister

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Committee on Foreign Affairs Ordinary meeting

EU foreign policy tools and proposed institutional reforms

The speakers examine current EU CFSP/CSDP and internal security instruments against organized crime, then recommend widening legal definitions, strengthening coordination and data sharing, and institutionalizing geopolitical threat analysis within Parliament and EU structures.

In this chapter

1. EU foreign and security policy tools against OCGs
2. Recommendations to Parliament on definitions and coordination

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Committee on Foreign Affairs Ordinary meeting

Committee study on organized crime as geopolitical actor

David McAllister and 6 others

The Chair introduces the committee‑commissioned RUSI study on organized crime as a geopolitical actor, followed by MEPs’ questions on typology, political capture and EU ‘narco‑state’ risks, and RUSI’s detailed case studies on hybrid threats and gaps in the current EU legal and cooperation framework.

In this chapter

1. Chair and RUSI: mandate and key findings of studyDavid McAllister
2. MEPs: requests for examples, political capture and EU narco‑state risksNacho Sánchez Amor
3. RUSI: case studies, hybrid threats and limits of current EU framework

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Committee on Foreign Affairs Ordinary meeting

Study context and typology of geopolitical OCGs

The authors present the study’s objectives and key findings, then introduce a three-part typology of organized criminal groups and explain how state-opposed, embedded, and state-sponsored actors challenge existing legal and UNTOC-based concepts of organized crime.

In this chapter

1. Study objectives and key findings
2. Typology of OCGs and state-opposed groups
3. Embedded and state-sponsored OCGs; limits of UNTOC

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Committee on Foreign Affairs Ordinary meeting

Iranian opposition: EU sanctions and leadership

David McAllister and 1 other

Segment on EU responsibility toward the Iranian opposition, requested sanctions and cessation of cooperation with the Islamic Republic, and presentation of Reza Pahlavi and key principles (territorial integrity, secularism, equality) as a unifying framework for regime change. Useful to understand opposition expectations from EU institutions and potential policy levers on Iran.

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Committee on Foreign Affairs Ordinary meeting

MEPs’ questions: opposition unity, regime change, EU role

David McAllister and 4 others

Two consecutive rounds of MEPs question witnesses on the feasibility and representativeness of a united opposition, risks of war and foreign strikes, women’s rights and regime‑change scenarios, and the EU’s responsibilities regarding sanctions, double standards and leverage on Tehran.

In this chapter

1. First MEP round: unity of opposition, war risks and EU leverageDavid McAllister
2. Second MEP round: representation, regime‑change debate and EU double standardsEvin Incir

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Committee on Foreign Affairs Ordinary meeting

Monarchist‑aligned opposition: transition roadmap and EU stance

David McAllister PPE

Figures close to Reza Pahlavi set out their diagnosis of the regime and security threats to Europe, present transition and justice frameworks such as the Iran Prosperity Project, press the EU to prepare for regime change and downgrade relations with Tehran, and later the coordinator clarifies Pahlavi’s invitation, his absence and Parliament’s neutrality on Iran’s future leadership.

In this chapter

1. Monarchist‑aligned opposition: Reza Pahlavi, transition plans and EU stanceDavid McAllister
2. Coordinator: clarification on Pahlavi invitation and EU neutralityDavid McAllister

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Committee on Foreign Affairs Ordinary meeting

Opening and initial witnesses: Iran human‑rights crisis

David McAllister PPE

The chair launches the hearing on Iran, frames the human‑rights and EU‑action focus, then gives the floor to Shirin Ebadi and other early witnesses who document repression, executions, internet shutdowns, expropriations and long‑term discrimination, including in Kurdistan, and call for a pluralist, federal and democratic future for Iran.

In this chapter

1. Chair and keynotes: human‑rights crisis in IranDavid McAllister
2. Kurdish opposition: federal, pluralist future for IranDavid McAllister

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Committee on Foreign Affairs Ordinary meeting

GCC replies: Ukraine support, Hezbollah, Israel–Palestine and outreach to Iran

David McAllister PPE

The Secretary General details GCC engagement with Ukraine and Russia, its stance on sanctions and Hezbollah, clarifies GCC positions on Israel–Palestine, the Abraham Accords and Gaza, and outlines repeated outreach to Iran alongside support for realistic EU–GCC peace initiatives and regional stability mechanisms.

In this chapter

1. Secretary General replies: Ukraine support, Russia, sanctions, Hezbollah, EU role
2. Secretary General replies: Israel–Palestine, Abraham Accords, outreach to Iran and regional peace initiativesDavid McAllister

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Committee on Foreign Affairs Ordinary meeting

MEP questions: regional conflicts, sanctions, energy and human rights

Michael Gahler and 4 others

MEPs raise concerns over intra‑GCC divisions, roles in Sudan, support to Ukraine, Russia sanctions and a possible EU–GCC security instrument, while also questioning GCC positions on Israel–Palestine, the Abraham Accords, EU energy dependence on Gulf fossil fuels, and specific human‑rights issues such as the case of Abdulhadi al‑Khawaja.

In this chapter

1. First MEP Q&A round: Iran war, Sudan, Ukraine, Hezbollah, Russia sanctionsMichael Gahler
2. Second MEP Q&A round: EU/GCC role in regional peace, Israel–Palestine and EU energy policyDavid McAllister
3. Final short questions: Iran reconciliation, human rights case, Abraham AccordsVilly Søvndal

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Committee on Foreign Affairs Ordinary meeting

Opening: Iranian attacks and EU–GCC strategic agenda

David McAllister PPE

The Chair frames the debate around recent Iranian attacks and freedom of navigation in Hormuz, followed by the GCC Secretary General’s assessment of Iranian aggression, its humanitarian and economic impact, and his call to deepen and institutionalise the EU–GCC strategic partnership and parliamentary cooperation mechanism.

In this chapter

1. Chair McAllister: context on Iranian attacks and HormuzDavid McAllister
2. GCC Secretary General: importance of EU–GCC dialogue
3. GCC assessment: Iranian aggression, humanitarian and economic impact
4. GCC–EU strategic partnership, summit agenda and parliamentary mechanismDavid McAllister

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Committee on Foreign Affairs Ordinary meeting

EU–Mexico agreement: political groups’ positions and conditions

Ana Miguel Pedro and 6 others

Political groups (EPP, S&D, ID/ECR, Renew and Greens) set out their stances on the EU–Mexico Global Agreement, broadly backing an updated deal while tabling conditions and concerns on rule of law, violence, human rights, energy, investment protection, SME benefits and enforceable sustainability and anti‑corruption provisions, and situating the agreement in relation to EU–US and wider Latin America relations.

In this chapter

1. Political groups EPP, S&D and ID/ECR: support with conditions, US relations and securityAna Miguel Pedro
2. ECR, Renew and Greens: rule of law, energy, SMEs and sustainability in EU–Mexico dealEmmanouil Fragkos

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Committee on Foreign Affairs Ordinary meeting

Joint AFET–INTA on EU–Mexico agreement: mandate and co‑rapporteurs

David McAllister and 3 others

The joint AFET–INTA sitting on consent to the modernised EU–Mexico Global Agreement is opened, with chairs framing the strategic geopolitical and trade context, followed by AFET and INTA co‑rapporteurs presenting the political, geopolitical, economic and rule‑of‑law rationale for giving Parliament’s consent to the agreement despite identified concerns.

In this chapter

1. Joint AFET–INTA meeting on EU–Mexico Global Agreement: opening and strategic contextDavid McAllister
2. AFET co‑rapporteur López: political and geopolitical rationale for EU–Mexico agreementJavi López
3. INTA co‑rapporteur Giménez Larraz: economic benefits and rule‑of‑law concernsBorja Giménez Larraz

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Committee on Foreign Affairs Ordinary meeting

AFET meeting opening and foreign policy votes

David McAllister and 2 others

McAllister opens the AFET meeting, sets out the agenda and consular protection re‑consultation procedure, then the committee votes on the recommendation for the 81st UNGA, the EU–Uzbekistan Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement and its accompanying resolution, and conducts comprehensive amendment votes on the Commission report on Turkey before closing the voting session and announcing the upcoming joint meeting with INTA.

In this chapter

1. Opening of AFET meeting and agenda, consular protection re‑consultationDavid McAllister
2. Recommendation on 81st UN General Assembly session: rapporteur and voteAndrey Kovatchev
3. EU–Uzbekistan Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement: consent voteDavid McAllister

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Committee on Foreign Affairs Ordinary meeting

European Endowment for Democracy: report, scrutiny and financing

David McAllister and 1 other

Pomianowski presents the EED annual report and funding challenges, followed by MEPs’ scrutiny of its mandate, transparency, geographic and thematic balance, and his replies on security‑driven confidentiality, human‑rights focus (including LGBTI support), demand‑driven project selection and the need for a strong, ring‑fenced democracy budget line.

In this chapter

1. European Endowment for Democracy (EED) annual report presentationDavid McAllister
2. MEPs’ debate on EED mandate, funding and transparencyDavid McAllister
3. Pomianowski’s replies and conclusion on EEDDavid McAllister

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Committee on Foreign Affairs Ordinary meeting

Structured dialogue with HR/VP: coordinators’ and MEPs’ questions, HR/VP replies

David McAllister and 6 others

Coordinators and MEPs question Kallas on EU action in the Gulf and Lebanon, transatlantic relations, perceived double standards, Western Balkans leverage, Iran, China, enlargement formats, Ukraine support, ICC and human rights, while Kallas details legal constraints, coalition approaches, enlargement as a geopolitical choice, defence cooperation, Iran civil society support and operationalisation of Article 42(7).

In this chapter

1. Coordinators’ first round of questions to HR/VPDavid McAllister
2. HR/VP Kallas’ first replies: Hormuz, Russia, Iran, strategyDavid McAllister
3. Second round with HR/VP: transatlantic, Iran, China, 42.7Željana Zovko
4. HR/VP Kallas’ second replies: leadership, enlargement, defenceDavid McAllister

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Committee on Foreign Affairs Ordinary meeting

Structured dialogue work program: HR/VP Kallas’ priorities

David McAllister PPE

The Chair opens the structured dialogue on the Commission’s 2026 work program and HR/VP Kallas sets out her strategic vision on Ukraine, Middle East tensions, global maritime security, sanctions, new EU security and defence strategies, and key partnerships, framing the EU’s response to concurrent crises.

In this chapter

1. Opening structured dialogue with HR/VP on 2026 work programDavid McAllister
2. HR/VP Kallas: global crises, EU security and partnershipsDavid McAllister

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Committee on Foreign Affairs Ordinary meeting

Bosnia and Herzegovina accession report: debate and next steps

David McAllister and 5 others

From the opening of the Bosnia and Herzegovina report to the rapporteur’s closing, members and EU institutions assess stalled reforms, secessionist threats, ethnic power‑sharing deadlock, judicial and constitutional conditions for accession talks, foreign interference risks, and the concrete procedural calendar for amendments and the AFET vote.

In this chapter

1. Opening and introduction of Bosnia and Herzegovina reportDavid McAllister
2. Rapporteur: key findings of 2025 Bosnia reportDavid McAllister
3. Political groups’ positions on Bosnia and HerzegovinaMatjaž Nemec

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Committee on Foreign Affairs Ordinary meeting

EU–Egypt strategic partnership: implementation and scrutiny

David McAllister and 1 other

Commission reports on implementing the 2024 EU–Egypt strategic and comprehensive partnership across macro‑financial assistance, investment and migration, followed by MEPs questioning human‑rights conditionality and migration practices and the EEAS detailing ongoing political dialogue on Gaza, regional security and civil liberties before the session closes.

In this chapter

1. EU–Egypt strategic and comprehensive partnership: Commission updateDavid McAllister
2. EU–Egypt partnership: human rights, migration and political dialogueDavid McAllister

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Committee on Foreign Affairs Ordinary meeting

Kosovo 2025 report: accession readiness and dialogue

David McAllister and 4 others

Rapporteur and shadows discuss Kosovo’s stalled reforms, media freedom, CFSP alignment and Belgrade–Pristina dialogue obligations; Members, Commission and EEAS then focus on elections, the association of Serb‑majority municipalities, non‑recognition by some EU states, recent dialogue progress and the item’s wrap‑up.

In this chapter

1. Kosovo 2025 report: rapporteur and shadowsDavid McAllister
2. Kosovo: Members, Commission, EEAS and wrap‑upDavid McAllister

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Committee on Foreign Affairs Ordinary meeting

Serbia 2025 report: critical assessment and conditionality

David McAllister and 6 others

Rapporteur and fact‑finding MEPs present a critical assessment of Serbia’s democratic backsliding, foreign policy non‑alignment and institutional capture, then political groups, Commission and EEAS debate tougher conditionality versus faster integration before the rapporteur warns on Serbia’s trajectory and sets the amendment calendar.

In this chapter

1. Serbia 2025 report: rapporteur and EPP fact‑finding findingsDavid McAllister
2. Serbia: political group positions, Commission and EEASDavid McAllister

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Committee on Foreign Affairs Ordinary meeting

Moldova accession report: presentation and debate

David McAllister and 3 others

Rapporteur and EPP outline the 2025 Moldova enlargement report on reforms, rule of law, energy and security, after which political groups, Members, EEAS and Commission broadly back Moldova’s EU path while highlighting social issues, Transnistria, disinformation and procedural next steps.

In this chapter

1. Moldova 2025 enlargement report: rapporteur and EPPDavid McAllister
2. Moldova enlargement: political groups, Members, EEAS and CommissionVilly Søvndal

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Committee on Foreign Affairs Ordinary meeting

Ukraine accession report: presentation and debate

David McAllister and 4 others

Rapporteur presents the 2025 Ukraine enlargement report and political groups, EEAS and Commission set out positions on accession conditions, reforms, Hungary’s veto and the war context, followed by a catch‑the‑eye debate and procedural closure of the Ukraine item with amendment and vote deadlines.

In this chapter

1. Ukraine 2025 enlargement report: rapporteur presentationDavid McAllister
2. Ukraine enlargement: political groups and EEAS/CommissionDavid McAllister
3. Ukraine enlargement: catch‑the‑eye debate and closureDavid McAllister

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Committee on Foreign Affairs Ordinary meeting

Opening of meeting and electronic votes

David McAllister PPE

Chair opens the AFET meeting, tests the electronic voting system and conducts three electronic votes on pilot projects and preparatory actions for the 2027 EU budget, all adopted.

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