On 10 March, during the parliamentary assessment on the EU's foreign and security policy, MEPs highlighted the importance of addressing human rights and gender aspects in all phases of the Common Security and Defence Policy. Other items discussed include the main threats and challenges facing the EU in terms of foreign and security policy.
Gender and human rights
According to the Parliament, in all phases of operations of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), including the planning and implementation period, human rights and gender aspects should be addressed. The role of women in peace and security activities should also be taken into account, both in the training of staff and during operations, argued MEPs. The Parliament also recommended enhancing staff's human rights training and knowledge of civil society and highlighted that a larger proportion of the personnel sent on operations should be women.
Threats and challenges facing the EU
MEPs highlighted what they believe represent the key threats and challenges facing the European Union in terms of foreign and security policy, namely:
- terrorism and organised crime
- proliferation of weapons of mass destruction
- poverty
- impact of climate change and natural disasters
- regional conflicts
- state failure
- maritime piracy
- small arms and light weapons, cluster munitions and landmines
- energy security
- cyber-security
The Parliament stressed its support for the Union's efforts to address these threats and challenges by developing a comprehensive approach combining civil and military means of action: conflict prevention and crisis management, financial assistance and development cooperation, social and environmental policies, diplomatic and trade policy instruments and enlargement.
For more information, please read the text of the resolution .