UEF Insider #3 | Towards a genuine Foreign and Defence Policy within a Federal Europe
Welcome back to third edition of the UEF Insider newsletter 2025!
This Newsletter comes out a few days after the successful conclusion of the Federal Commiteee held in Brussels on 20-22 June and news of the nomination of the new Chair of the Spinelli Group in the European Parliament, MEP Gabriele Bischoff (here our PR).
On 20 June, the UEF and the World Federalist Movement organised the 6th Meeting on "Reshaping Multilateralism: UN Charter turns 80. The future of sustainable global governance between neo-protectionism and return of nationalism". Speakers from academics, political class and civil society organisations took part in the fruitful debate.
This evening was also the occasion for the UEF to launch a fundraising action during the federalist reception who gathered fellow federalists.
On 21 and 22 June, the UEF hosted its Federal Committee and updated its policy platform by approving four resolutions.
Antonio Argenziano, former JEF President was also elected as UEF Treasurer.
Ilaria Caria had her last Federal Committee as secretary General as her term ends in June 2025.
Below, we share photos of the approved documents, highlights, recordings of debates and speeches.
The newsletter follows with a list of upcoming events, reports of past events and press releases sent out in recent months.
Friday 20 June 2025
On Friday 20 June evening, we kicked off this weekend of event with a compelling discussion on multilateralism and global governance. This event was organised in cooperation with the World Federalist Movement, and with participation from speakers from different spheres. The crowd seemed very satisfied with a intense and fruitful discussion on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the UN Charter.
The UEF extends its heartfelt thanks to the speakers for their insightful contributions and for making this event engaging.
After this insightful discussion, the guests could enjoy a Federalists Reception, which was for the UEF the occasion to launch our fundraising campaign based on the art collection realized by Lorenzo Epis called "The Federalist Poster Series".
If not already the case, you can you too support our political campaigns by making a donation to the UEF and receive an exclusive gift package featuring selected artworks from The Federalist Posters Series!
Just go here: LINK
Saturday and Sunday 21-22 June 2025
On Saturday, the 21st, the Federal Committee convened for its statutory meeting. Following initial formalities, Domenec Ruiz Devesa, President of the organization, delivered an insightful political report to start the proceedings. Political Commissions 1 and 3 then convened to deliberate on a total of four proposed resolutions, subsequently presenting their findings in plenary sessions. The Federal Committee opened the discussion of having the next Congress in Brussels in autumn 2025 and voted on it: by our Statutes the date will be decided by the Executive Bureau.
POLITICAL INTRODUCTION
After reflecting on the enriching discussions from the previous day, the President Domènec Ruiz Devesa emphasized key topics such as improving EU decision-making, taxation, and the EU's role on the international stage. The President reported on the organization's political activities since the last Federal Committee meeting in Budapest, focusing on the campaign for treaty reform and the need to remind the European Parliament of its responsibilities. Despite internal challenges, the President highlighted the organization's stability and the importance of collective efforts in advancing federalist goals, including European defence and strategic planning for future initiatives.
Find here the resolutions updating the political position of the UEF:
Resolution | Towards a Political Union
The UEF calls for a stronger and more integrated European Union to address rising global instability and strategic threats.
The UEF stresses that only a federal European political union can provide the legitimacy and structure needed for common defence and effective global action.
The European Parliament is urged to advance reforms, including a larger EU budget funded by Eurobonds, ending unanimity in decision-making, and initiating constitutional change through a coalition of willing states.
Resolution | Towards a genuine Foreign and Defense Policy within a Federal Europe
The UEF calls for the urgent creation of a sovereign European foreign and security policy.
It warns against rising global instability, U.S. disengagement, and increasing threats—including Russian aggression, Middle East conflicts, cyberattacks, and hybrid warfare.
The UEF advocates for a credible European Defence Union, supported by strategic autonomy, a common intelligence system, and a unified defence industry.
It emphasizes the need for a democratic federal European State to enable effective action and overcome unanimity obstacles, calling for a core group of willing states to lead this transformation.
Resolution | A federal solution to relaunch Israeli-Palestinian peace process
The UEF condemns the ongoing violence in Gaza and Israel and calls for immediate international action to protect human rights and restore peace. The resolution urges the EU to pressure both Israel and Hamas to end hostilities, release hostages, and allow humanitarian aid into Gaza. It denounces war crimes, potential ethnic cleansing, and the destruction of civilian infrastructure.
The UEF supports suspending the EU-Israel Association Agreement and imposing sanctions on responsible actors. It calls for a “Two-State Plus” solution, promoting integration and a long-term federal framework for lasting peace in the region.
Resolution | For a Common European Media Space
The UEF calls for the creation of a Common European Media Space to strengthen European democracy and identity.
Despite the European Media Freedom Act, national media remains fragmented, limiting informed EU-wide discourse. A transnational media network—offering news, culture, and entertainment—would foster shared citizenship, combat polarization, and enhance democratic engagement.
On the following day, Sunday the 22nd, the organization made some key appointments:
- Antonio Argenziano, former President of JEF Europe, was elected as Treasurer;
- Ioana Radescu was appointed as the Internal Auditor.
The meeting also included a comprehensive report on the activities of the UEF for the first half of 2025.
Ilaria Caria, Secretary General of the UEF, expressed her heartfelt gratitude for the support she received from the Federal Committee members throughout her mandate.
Here the presentation reports by the UEF and some of its national sections:
- Activity Report of the UEF (Nov 2024 - June 2025)
- Activity Report of UEF Germany - Europa Union Deutschland
- Activity Report of UEF Italy - Movimento Federalista Europeo
- Activity Report of UEF Belgium
- Activity Report of UEF Hungary - Európai Föderalisták Uniója Magyarország
NEXT EVENTS
On 27-29 August, UEF Finland will organise three events:
❖ Public debate event at the Turku Europe Forum: “European security: a common defence and a federal response to the challenges of the 2020s?”
❖ Federalist Evening gathering
❖ UEF Organisational development workshop for Nordic and Baltic countries
More details to come very soon!
The UEF is back this year again on the mythic island of Ventotene to take part in the Ventotene Seminar on Federalism as a partner of the event. The seminar is held from 31st August to 5th September 2025.
Link here.
PRESS RELEASE
"Thank you very much for your trust. It is a great honour for me to be the new chair of the Spinelli Group. As the first woman to hold this office, but certainly not the last, I am particularly looking forward to this task."
The Union of European Federalists (UEF) warmly welcomes Gabriele Bischoff as the new chair of the Spinelli Group in the Eruopean Parliament and thank Lukas Mandl for his great work.
‘The road ahead is neither easy nor safe. But it must be taken, and it will be taken!'
Read here
11/04/2025 | Germany's New Coalition opens pathways for Common Defence and Political Union in line with UEF position
07/04/2025 | Attacks on NGOs in the European Parliament
19/03/2025 | For a European Defence Union, For a European Federation
05/03/2025 | It's time for a European Defence Union. A Memorandum of the Action Committee for the United States of Europe
18/02/2025 | Trump-Putin axis: Europe must react with a common defence
22/01/2025 | PROJECT 27: Let's Reform Europe!
PAST EVENTS
View reports of past events here:
17 June 2025 | PC 5 Debate | Migration policy and narratives in Europe
14 June 2025 | Federalista Eguna / Dia Federalista
28 May 2025 | The New Bretton Woods and the International Economic Order
28 April 2025 | Women in Politics and European Federalism
Federalist regards,
The UEF Secretariat