Organization of parliamentary delegations for international relations

The European Parliament has adopted a decision on the structure and composition of its interparliamentary delegations. This reorganization comes to clarify how European parliamentarians collaborate with international partners. The decision affects all Members of the European Parliament involved in external relations.

Context and objectives

Building on the Rules of Procedure and the July 2024 decision, the text aims to rationalize the composition of interparliamentary delegations. The main objective is to ensure consistent and effective representation within international parliamentary assemblies, optimizing resources and avoiding overlaps.

Key measures

• Establishment of the exact number and numerical composition of interparliamentary delegations by regional groups
• Definition of the composition of the delegation to the OEACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly from members of the corresponding regional delegations
• Specification that members of delegations to multilateral parliamentary assemblies come exclusively from the corresponding bilateral or subregional delegations
• Restriction of members of the delegation for relations with the NATO Parliamentary Assembly to members of the security and defence subcommittee
• Limitation of delegation offices to a maximum of two vice-chairs, with the exception of multilateral assemblies

Timeline and implementation

The decision entered into force immediately upon adoption on 11 September 2024. The Conference of Presidents remains the authority that officially authorizes delegation activities. The President of the European Parliament is tasked with transmitting the decision to the Council, Commission and European External Action Service.

Impact for citizens and stakeholders

This reorganization ensures more efficient representation of the EU in international parliamentary relations. Citizens benefit from better coordination of EU foreign policy. European parliamentarians will have clearer responsibilities in parliamentary cooperation activities, and international partners will interact with well-defined delegations.