John Grech and Beppe Fenech Adami participated in the Inter-Parliamentary Conference on the Common Foreign and Security Policy and the Common Security and Defence Policy (CFSP/CSDP), held from 4 to 6 November 2026 in Dublin, Ireland. The conference brought together Members of the European Parliament and national parliamentarians to discuss the principal foreign policy, security and defence challenges facing the European Union.
Organised by the Houses of the Oireachtas as part of the parliamentary dimension of Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the conference provided a platform for exchanging views on European security priorities, international developments and the EU's response to emerging geopolitical challenges. The discussions covered four main themes: priorities and strategies for the CFSP and CSDP, Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, the geopolitical situation in the Middle East, and the protection of democracy against hybrid threats.
The first session examined the EU's evolving foreign and security policy priorities, including efforts to strengthen European defence readiness, develop military capabilities and improve cooperation with international partners. Discussions also addressed the EU Strategic Compass, the White Paper on the Future of European Defence and the Defence Readiness Roadmap 2030, alongside the importance of maintaining adequate resources for the Union's external action.
Intervening during the first session, John Grech emphasised that a stronger EU foreign and security policy should be based on unity, diplomacy, dialogue and respect for Member States' different security traditions. Referring to Malta's constitutional neutrality, he stressed that neutrality did not mean passivity in the face of aggression or threats to security and democracy. He called for greater European self-reliance in cybersecurity, maritime security and the protection of critical infrastructure, while ensuring that defence initiatives respect national constitutional obligations. Grech also urged the EU to keep the security of the wider Mediterranean high on its agenda, citing irregular migration, climate change, water and food security, and conflict in the Middle East, alongside Malta's commitment to international law and peaceful conflict resolution.
The conference also considered the continuing war in Ukraine, focusing on European military, financial and humanitarian assistance, diplomatic efforts towards a just and lasting peace, and Ukraine's progress towards EU membership. A separate session examined developments in the Middle East, including the humanitarian situation in Gaza, regional security challenges, respect for international law and the EU's diplomatic and crisis-management role.
During the session on Ukraine, Beppe Fenech Adami condemned Russia's invasion of a sovereign and independent country as a violation of international law and the principles underpinning the international order. He warned against allowing military power to determine borders or treating sovereignty and the rules-based international order as negotiable. He called for a united and sustained European response in support of Ukraine's right to defend its territorial integrity, and for accountability for violations of international law. He stressed that Europe's commitment to democracy, freedom, sovereignty and the rule of law must be demonstrated through concrete action.
The final session focused on protecting European democracies against hybrid threats, including cyberattacks, disinformation, foreign interference and threats to critical infrastructure. Participants considered measures to strengthen preparedness, cybersecurity and societal resilience, as well as the importance of cooperation between public authorities, security institutions and private operators.
The conference formed part of the continuing interparliamentary dialogue between national parliaments and the European Parliament on the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy and Common Security and Defence Policy, providing opportunities to exchange perspectives on European security, international cooperation and democratic accountability.
