This Week in Foreign Affairs — Brussels (#13, 2026)
EU-Armenia summit deepens ties; Foreign Affairs Council discusses Ukraine, Middle East; EP committees issue joint statement on Russia’s crackdown on Memorial.
April 05, 2026 to April 11, 2026
EU-Armenia summit deepens ties; Foreign Affairs Council discusses Ukraine, Middle East; EP committees issue joint statement on Russia’s crackdown on Memorial.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 📅 This Week's Calendar in Brussels
• 🤝 EU Council
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
This Week's Calendar in Brussels
- Committee on Development (DEVE): On April 14, the European Parliament's Committee on Development (DEVE) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: * * *; Amending Regulation (EU) 2024/1252; Chair’s announcements.
- Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI): On April 14, the European Parliament's Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: * * *; Chair’s announcements; Coordinators' meeting.
- Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE): On April 14, the European Parliament's Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Joint SEDE-ITRE: The Implementation of the 2026-2027 European Defence Industry Programme Work Programme: capability priority projects, with Francois Arbault, Director for Defence Industrial Programmes (DG for Defence Industry and Space, European Commission).
- Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE): On April 14, the European Parliament's Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Chair’s announcements; Countering FIMI: shifting gears from tracking the threat to actively disrupting the attack, with Matthew Reece, Director for Policy Planning and Strategic Communication, EEAS; Date of next meetings.
- Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET): On April 15, the European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: * * *; 2025 Commission report on Türkiye; Chair’s announcements.
- Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET): On April 15, the European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: * * *; Chair’s announcements; Conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Political, Economic and Cooperation Strategic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the United Mexican States, of the other part.
- Committee on International Trade (INTA): On April 15, the European Parliament's Committee on International Trade (INTA) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: * * *; Chair’s announcements; Conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Political, Economic and Cooperation Strategic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the United Mexican States, of the other part.
- Committee on International Trade (INTA): On April 15, the European Parliament's Committee on International Trade (INTA) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: * * *; Ad-hoc delegation to the Parliamentary Conference on the WTO and the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference, Yaoundé, Cameroon, 24-27 March 2026; Agreement in the form of an exchange of letters between the Union and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan relating to the modification of concessions on all the tariff rate quotas included in the EU Schedule CLXXV as a consequence of the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union.
- Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE): On April 15, the European Parliament's Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Chair’s announcements; Date of next meetings; Structured Dialogue with Andrius Kubilius, European Commissioner for Defence and Space.
- Committee on International Trade (INTA): On April 16, the European Parliament's Committee on International Trade (INTA) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: * * *; Ad-hoc delegation to the Parliamentary Conference on the WTO and the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference, Yaoundé, Cameroon, 24-27 March 2026; Agreement in the form of an exchange of letters between the Union and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan relating to the modification of concessions on all the tariff rate quotas included in the EU Schedule CLXXV as a consequence of the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union.
EU Council
EU-Armenia summit marks new phase in bilateral cooperation
On 4 May 2026, the EU and Armenia convened for their first-ever summit, where the European Union reiterated its commitment to strengthening bilateral relations. Discussions focused on enhancing cooperation in areas such as connectivity, security, and defence, reflecting the evolving geopolitical landscape in the South Caucasus. The summit follows a series of EU initiatives aimed at supporting stability and reform in Armenia.
European Political Community meeting addresses European security
Also on 4 May 2026, the European Political Community gathered in Yerevan to assess the state of peace and stability across Europe. President Costa underscored the importance of a comprehensive approach to security, citing the broader geopolitical challenges facing the continent.
Eurogroup reviews economic impacts of Middle East conflict
The Eurogroup met on 4 May 2026 to evaluate the repercussions of ongoing Middle East conflict on the EU economy. Ministers also received briefings from the Single Supervisory Mechanism and the Single Resolution Board, with a focus on banking sector resilience, cyber security, and the integration of artificial intelligence.
EP Committee Work
EP committee chairs urge halt to Russian campaign against Memorial
On 9 April 2026, Ville Niinisto (Greens/EFA, Finland), chair of the delegation to the EU-Russia Parliamentary Cooperation Committee, Mounir Satouri (Greens/EFA, France), chair of the Subcommittee on Human Rights, and Sandra Kalniete (EPP, Latvia), Foreign Affairs Committee standing rapporteur on Russia, issued a joint statement condemning the latest legal measures targeting Memorial, the Russian human rights organisation. The statement noted that the Supreme Court hearing was classified as top secret, raising due process concerns, and warned that upholding the Ministry of Justice’s claim would criminalise activities associated with Memorial. The MEPs called for the immediate withdrawal of the case and reaffirmed the European Parliament’s solidarity with Memorial’s staff and partners.
