Security policy is at and will stay at the centre of the EU agenda. As Greens, we are convinced that the EU needs a new mindset and a clear willingness to act.
It is time to rejuvenate multilateralism and values-based foreign policy. The European Union has grown strong through integration, sharing and connection – not decoupling or building walls. What we endeavoured to do with the European project must also guide our international relations. We need to stand in solidarity with our partners and knit an expanded network of ties and strategic partnerships working together in an ever-more complex and interconnected world.
The green transition has always also been a question of security. With more control over our energy system, crucial technologies, and vital supply chains, the EU can make a greater impact in foreign policy and towards a globally just transition. It is an opportunity for the EU to become a more effective actor alongside its partners and multilateral institutions, advancing peace and security as well as universal values, Sustainable Development Goals, human rights, and democracy around the world.
Cooperation based on universal values and principles
The EU must prioritize cooperation and alliance building with democratic partners to defend human rights, universal values, and a rules-based international order. We need to act with our allies and like-minded partners wherever possible while retaining the ability to act independently when needed.
As Greens, we envisage a European Union that works closely with democracies and like-minded partners to stand up to aggressors worldwide and create new ties for multilateral cooperation outside the Global North. The EU must be ready to work with all parties committed to peace, human rights, multilateralism, and international law.
Multilateralism and cooperation for global security
Peace and freedom are built through values-based and fair dealings with our partners. We believe in international solidarity and multilateralism. The United Nations upholds our shared global values, and we will defend it against attacks and advocate for reforms to enhance transparency, accountability, and effectiveness.
In these challenging times, the EU must actively seek out all opportunities for international cooperation and use all channels of cooperation to preserve peace, also within the OSCE. The multilateral system must be strengthened through fair representation for the Global South, for example on the UN Security Council and in international financial institutions. We advocate for a reform the of UN system, especially the UNSC, to ensure fair and proportionate representation of all world regions and make it possible for regional organisations such as the EU to become full members. The veto in the Security Council must be abolished to promote international decision-making and move away from a hegemonic system.
Global security can only be achieved by upholding, promoting and developing international law. As Greens, we will make sure that the EU uses its international influence to motivate countries, such as the United States, to join the Rome Statute and the International Criminal Court, to make sure that human rights are protected globally.
The European Union must stand for international human rights and the protection of international humanitarian law. As such, it is our shared responsibility to make sure that no war crime or violations of human rights goes unpunished. This engagement is the best way to achieve multilateralism based on the strength of international law, not might is right.
For the EU, a multilateral approach also includes strengthening and deepening cooperation with NATO, while respecting a clear division of competences and without setting precedence. Member states decide for themselves about NATO membership. The EU has a collective duty to safeguard its security from the oscillations of external actors and create the conditions to allow the EU to freely determine its engagement in the rapidly shifting geopolitical environment.
A new peace contract for Europe
With increasing conflicts around the world, including in the European neighbourhood, the EU must work with international partners to build peace and reduce the risk of conflicts. We will take a transformational approach to tackle the root causes of conflict, strengthening civilian conflict prevention, mediation, and reconciliation as well as crisis management beyond borders, including peacebuilding, peacekeeping, and enforcement.
The climate-security nexus is about more than the EU’s own stability. Climate and environmental initiatives as well as efforts that strengthen the political, social, and economic participation of women are essential to building peace and providing security through development. Their funding must rise in step with any increase in military spending.
Military interventions must only ever be the last resort. They must be based on long-term political strategies, comply with international law, and subject to the relevant parliamentary approval and oversight. We support the development of a European security union within existing structures based on these principles.
Regarding the Middle East conflict, we will push for the EU to relaunch political negotiations towards a two-state solution, based on secure and agreed borders. Lasting peace in the region requires negotiated outcomes that respect the right of both Israel and Palestine to exist as democratic and sovereign states and the Palestinian people to a home of their own. We demand full accountability through independent investigations into all potential violations of international law by all parties. We call on the EU and its member states to support the work of the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice.
Cyprus still suffers under military occupation following the Turkish invasion of 1974. The geographical separation of Cypriots based on ethnic origin and religion violates European fundamental freedoms and human rights. We call for the resumption of talks on a solution to the Cyprus issue under the auspices of the UN.
A European Security Union
As no country can face the threats to security alone, the EU must develop a Security Union that centres human security and people’s needs. This approach is essential to protect human rights, prevent conflict, and create and maintain peace.
Security is about strong civil societies, the global just transition and long-term preventative strategies and not only about defence. Not only the short but the long term is our horizon of action, not only conventional conflicts but hybrid threats are our targets, not only states but civil societies. We advocate for a strong European External Action Service as a force for truly transnational diplomacy that can fight impunity and build reconciliation and lasting peace.
Within the European Union, we demand a credible policy of solidarity and mutual assistance in line with article 42(7) of the Treaty of the European Union. This means cooperation on military capabilities and creating synergies, for example through promoting interoperability and coordinating procurement, maintenance, and supply systems. The increasing threat of disinformation and interference in sovereign democracies must be met by cybersecurity efforts.
No longer relying on authoritarian regimes
We must not repeat mistakes of the past. For too long, the European Union and its members were complacent about economic dependence on authoritarian regimes. Lulled by fossil fuels, the EU ignored Putin’s rising authoritarianism, human rights violations, and the threat his regime posed to international security. We Greens will make sure that Europe does not make the same mistake again with other war-mongering regimes around the world.
We recognize the threat posed by China towards Taiwan that puts international peace and security in jeopardy. We advocate for an active, clear-eyed, and common EU policy on China. The EU must implement a robust human rights policy that starts with de-risking our supply chains and increasing our self-sufficiency in a world with increasing climate instability and political tensions, while acknowledging that interdependence is a key factor for a peaceful international system and a global just transition.
Fighting for global human rights
Civil society organizations are crucial for human rights, democracy and self-determination and fighting corruption and discrimination. They are the EU’s natural allies who can change the world for the better. However, human rights around the world are too often not safe. Environmentalists, investigative journalists, women, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, land and indigenous rights defenders, trade unionists and progressive politicians around the world are intimidated, subjected to smear campaigns, imprisoned on trumped-up charges, and, in the worst cases, murdered.
As Greens, we will fully implement the EU guidelines on human rights defenders and provide easier access to visas. We want the EU to provide more support to civil society generally, for example through sustainable funding. Transnational repression by authoritarian regimes must be a priority for human rights protection.
No peace without women: for a feminist foreign policy
Women and marginalized groups continue to have limited access to power across the world. A feminist foreign policy will put gender equality and human security at the core of our foreign and security policy. Societies will be more peaceful and prosperous when everyone plays an equal part in political, social, and economic life.
As Greens, we will push for a feminist foreign policy at EU level that implements intersectional strategies. We need to ensure political and civic participation of girls, women, and marginalized groups as well as an inclusive quality education for girls and young women. We must promote the economic empowerment of girls, women, and marginalized groups as a key foreign policy objective. This includes the creation of a fund to support local feminist organizations.
No arms exports to dictators and authoritarian regimes
Global arms spending is higher than ever and has increased every year since 2015. We advocate for nuclear and conventional arms control and disarmament, including a ban on autonomous lethal weapons and support for the nuclear ban treaty and the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. We advocate the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention. We call for an EU-level arms export policy that prohibits arms exports to authoritarian regimes, dictatorships and human rights abusers while supporting countries defending themselves against aggressors. Comprehensive monitoring mechanisms for arms exports to all partners must be introduced.