Resolution | Towards a genuine Foreign and Defense Policy within a Federal Europe

The Federal Committee of the Union of European Federalists, convening in Brussels, Belgium, on 21-22 June 2025:

Having regard of

1. the “Schuman Declaration” of 9 May 1950, already 75 years ago,
2. article 3 of UEF’s statutes that so establishes its disinterested purpose and object that reads: “to work for the creation of a European Federation, endowed with supranational institutions with limited but real sovereign powers, consisting of: (i) a Federal Government, (ii) a Parliament elected by direct universal suffrage, (iii) a Federal Senate representing Member States and possibly the Regions, (iv) a Court of Justice","
3. the Resolution ”A Federal European State, the prerequisite for an efficient European defence and a continental geopolitical responsibility” proposed by PC3 and adopted at the meeting of the Federal Committee of 9-10 July 2022 in Brussels,
4. the Memorandum on a European Defence Union issued by the new Action Committee for United States of Europe,
5. the so-called “Second Schuman declaration” issued in 2025 by the new Action committee for United States of Europe,
6. the Report “Strengthening Europe’s civil and military preparedness and readiness” authored by former Finnish president Niinistö and the report on the “Future of European competitiveness” made by former president of ECB and former Italian prime minister, Mario Draghi,

Considering that

• The consolidation of power politics within a competitive multipolar world, with increasing hegemonic rhetoric from major powers such as the United States, Russia, and China is endangering common international coexistence principles enforced after the WWII,
• The US, also in light of the speech given by the US vice president in Munich, expressed (with unprecedented language) its willingness to lessen its commitment within the European security,
• The retirement from WHO and the closure of USAID, highlighted the growing trend in US foreign policy to undermine multilateral cooperation in contemporary international relations.
• the European Commission so-called ReArmEU plan, aiming to ensure EU rearmament towards US disengagement from European defense.
• Most recent polls clearly indicate that European citizens are in favor of the creation of a European army,

Alarmed by

• Rising tensions in Ukraine and escalation made by Russian armed forces against Ukrainian forces close to the front-line and to all Ukraine,
• The growing disproportionate military campaign launched against Gaza strip by Israeli Military Forces (IDF) after the cease-fire expiration mediated by United States, Egypt and Qatar (and supported by Resolution 2735 of the United Nations Security Council), and causing severe causalities among civilian population in Gaza, questioning the respect of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights customary Law.
• The political situation within the Mediterranean Sea, the political crisis in Tunisia, the difficult situation of Libya and complicated transition political transition in Syria,
• Rising tensions in several international regions including the Indo-Pakistani border, the ongoing military and humanitarian crisis in Sudan.
• The drastic increase of cyberattacks suffered by public institutions and private actors throughout the European Union,
• by the renewed military confrontation between Israel and Iran and possible consequences for the region and the whole world,

Concerned by

• that peace talks related to Russian-Ukrainian talks have seen negotiation between Russia and United States with a degraded role of the Ukraine and the exclusion of any European power nor the European Union,
• the new commercial policy implemented by the US administration has created uncertainty among economic actors and risks potentially disrupting international trade, causing a global recession,
• The ongoing divisions and differences among the EU Member States on common foreign and security policy, despite the level of urgency represented by the contemporary challenges,
• The menaces posed by hybrid warfare may disrupt essential communications in both the public and private sectors across key policy areas.
• The rising phenomenon of fake news dissemination via social networks and other media,

Aware of

• Europe lived a crucial momentum in its history, and it's called to its historical responsibility to build up a credible foreign and security policy to ensure its own security,
• The European integration process stands as a powerful peace project built on a steadfast reliance to international law, democratic values, and the inherent dignity of every individual.

The Union of the European Federalists

1. strongly rejects all forms of imperialism and power politics and requests that international law and human rights be respected in any circumstances;
2. on that basis, affirms that, as a prerequisite, Russo-Ukrainian peace talks should always respect the full independence of Ukraine in its internationally recognised borders and its intrinsic dignity;
3. is convinced that the establishment of a genuine European foreign and security policy, with a reliable defence capable of protecting the European interests, cannot be postponed any longer;
4. affirms that the development of a genuine European strategy, capable of defining all items of European security and pursue a fully fledged strategic autonomy on which to base a European Foreign Policy;
5. affirms that a European strategic culture should be developed together with a reliable European common Intelligence system,
6. stresses that any collective effort to build up an effective European military industry, overcoming Member States' competition in such a crucial sector, necessitates the definition of a common European strategy;
7. affirms that, in order to support an adequate investment level in the field of defence, a true fiscal capability relying on federal own resources must be established;
8. emphasises the need to establish a European command chain, notwithstanding a strong European contribution to the Atlantic Alliance and to its organisation on a responsible and balanced basis, so forming a European pillar of NATO;
9. Affirms the necessity to establish a new permanent structured cooperation (PESCO) with a clear political mandate and broad operational responsibilities in the defense and security domains. Such a cooperation, initially led by a group of willing states (opened to all countries willing to join later), aims to brake unanimity paving the way for further integration.
10. affirms the inescapable necessity to establish at last a legitimate and democratic European (federal) State without which no consistent common European defence and security system, recognised and respected Europewide and beyond, can ever be set up; such a federal State, initially established by a group of willing states (inclusive and opened to all countries willing to join later), shall overcome any blockages resulting from the unanimity rule and make any European deterrence policy credible;
11. stresses the need to establish a platform meant to develop an Europewide common cyber-defence solutions.

Adopted by the Federal Committee of UEF, Brussels, 22 June 2025