On Monday, the Foreign Affairs Committee approved, by 49 votes in favour, 6 against and 12 abstentions a crucial report on the consequences of the COVID-19 outbreak on EU foreign policy. The virus has not only affected our living conditions, but also the geopolitical dynamics.
EPP shadow rapporteur for the file, Željana Zovko said: “With the creation of Team Europe, the European Union has shown its willingness to assist partner states facing difficulties during the pandemic. Unfortunately, our efforts in the Europe Union and in neighbouring countries where challenged by several global players. Disinformation campaigns have undermined our actions, including in the Western Balkans. These campaigns directly jeopardized the health situation.”
According to the report, the COVID-19 pandemic is a “game changer” in international affairs. The EU has to strengthen its internal resilience, develop new partnerships, and foster its multilateralist vision on a global scale. The report states that a number of governments and political leaders across the globe are using the crisis as an opportunity to furnish themselves with excessive powers, pursue their own political agendas by limiting human rights, and undermine democratic standards.