II SÉRIE-D — NÚMERO 16

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ANEXO

FINAL CONCLUSIONS

Interparliamentary Conference for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and the

Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP)

4 – 6 March, Riga

The Interparliamentary Conference,

Having regard to the decision of the Conference of Speakers of European Union Parliaments taken in April

2012 in Warsaw regarding the establishment and mandate of this Conference;

Having regard to Title II of Protocol I (and Article 9) of the Treaty of Lisbon regarding the promotion of

effective and regular interparliamentary cooperation within the Union;

Cognisant of the new powers and instruments foreseen by the Treaty of Lisbon for the European Union (EU)

institutions in the area of the foreign, security and defence policy; being aware that the new instruments create

better opportunities for the EU to wield an international influence commensurate with its political and economic

weight;

Conscious of the multi-layered decision-making process in the areas of the Common Foreign and Security

Policy (CFSP) and the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP); aware that effective implementation of

these policies must involve numerous policy actors at both the EU and national levels; conscious of the

responsibility to engage in parliamentary scrutiny at the respective levels and advance interparliamentary

cooperation in the areas of CFSP and CSDP;

Aware that the evolution of the international scenario has strengthened the role of the Parliaments as central

actors of global decision making, with specific reference to conflicts and crises.

Highlights of the Common Foreign and Security Policy

1. Acknowledging that the crises in and around Europe have ended the illusion of guaranteed peace for

Europe, expresses its utmost concern for the changed security landscape from Ukraine to the Middle East and

Africa; welcomes the commitment of the High Representative/Vice President (HRVP), on the basis of the

mandate from the European Council of December 2013, to initiate as a matter of priority a process of strategic

reflection of the EU's framework for the foreign and security policy in close consultation with the Member States

and the parliaments of the EU; insists that this reflection should lead, following consultation with the European

Parliament and National Parliaments, to a new European Security Strategy; remains convinced that the

Interparliamentary Conference for the CFSP and the CSDP should contribute to this important strategic

reflection.

2. Strongly condemns the murder of opposition leader Boris Nemtsov and calls for a clear commitment by

the Russian Government to ensure a full, rapid and transparent international investigation of the crime.

Fight against International Terrorism and Regional Radicalisation

3. Strongly condemns the barbaric terrorist attacks in France, Denmark and other countries; expresses its

deepest condolences to the relatives of the victims; emphasises that freedom of speech is an essential

fundamental freedom embedded in the foundation of the EU and that attacks in Paris and Copenhagen are to

be regarded as attacks on the fundamental values of the EU; strongly condemns any form of anti-Semitism and

islamophobia; underlines the need for a unified EU stance and an effective and comprehensive preventive

approach, more efficient use of the existing resources such as Europol, as well as enhanced cooperation

between the Member States in the field of intelligence sharing to tackle the radicalisation and recruitment of EU

citizens, as well as early identification and containment of foreign fighters and terrorists, according to the UNSC

Resolution 2178 (2014).

4. Calls with urgency for renewed efforts, in particular through global partnership and in a close cooperation

with Muslim countries in the region, to fight the self-proclaimed Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Da'esh)

and various Al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist organisations in the Middle East and Northern Africa (MENA).

5. Is concerned about the decreasing level of security in Syria, Iraq and Libya where, as a result of the civil

wars and activity of the Da’esh, the humanitarian situation has deteriorated to a catastrophic level; emphasises

that the expansion of the Da’esh has turned these countries into a safe haven for Islamic radicals, thus posing