The world has changed drastically in recent years. In the face of Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine, the conflict in Gaza, more aggressive and unfair economic competition from China, the relationship with the United States and the rise of divisive politics, the European Union has worked to defend and promote a rules-based international order, build effective trade partnerships and strengthen the role of global institutions. The EU remains firmly committed to effective multilateralism with the United Nations at its core, supported by other international institutions such as the World Trade Organization. The EU also remains the largest donor of development aid and among the leading donors of humanitarian aid in the world.

Enlargement is a strategic investment in Europe’s long-term peace, stability and prosperity, and is crucial for increasing the EU’s influence on the global stage. The EU regularly evaluates the progress of all enlargement countries, including within the framework of the annual enlargement package – open a new tab.. The gradual integration of aspiring members into specific areas of EU policies, including parts of the Single Market, strengthens ties with the EU before their accession.

The European Commission is notably supporting enlargement countries’ efforts to join the Single Euro Payments Area – open a new tab. and the Roam Like at Home – open a new tab. area. The Growth Plan for Moldova – open a new tab., the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans – open a new tab. and the Ukraine Facility – open a new tab. are facilitating this process and driving the investments and reforms necessary to prepare enlargement countries for their accession to the EU.

Eastern Partnership and Black Sea region

Regional cooperation under the Eastern Partnership – open a new tab. brings the EU, Armenia – open a new tab., Azerbaijan – open a new tab., Belarus – open a new tab., Georgia – open a new tab., Moldova – open a new tab. and Ukraine – open a new tab. together with the objective of tackling shared challenges and pursuing common objectives. Belarus suspended its participation in 2021, following the drastic deterioration in the overall human rights, democracy and rule-of-law situation in the country in the run up to and the conduct and aftermath of its August 2020 elections. Cooperation continues with key Belarusian non-state stakeholders, including civil-society organisations and the democratic forces for a democratic Belarus. Regional cooperation in the Eastern Partnership also contributes to the implementation of the EU’s strategic approach to the Black Sea region – open a new tab., adopted in May 2025. Amid Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the strategy will also reinforce the EU’s geopolitical role as a reliable actor in the Black Sea region.

In October, a Cross-Regional Connectivity Agenda – open a new tab. was launched with the aim of coordinating strategic investment to strengthen trade, transport, energy and digital links between Europe and Central Asia, via Türkiye and the Black Sea and South Caucasus countries. It reflects the EU’s strategic efforts to forge partnerships and advance cross-regional cooperation.

Middle East and North Africa

A prosperous, connected, resilient and secure Mediterranean basin is in the strategic interest of the EU as it strives to improve its competitiveness, increase its security and manage migration. The Pact for the Mediterranean – open a new tab., launched by Member States and the Southern Mediterranean partners, renews and elevates the EU’s ambition to engage more deeply with countries across the region so as to stimulate investment and bring added value for people and economies on all shores of the Mediterranean. The pact proposes flagship projects under its three pillars: people, economy and security.

Strategic and comprehensive partnerships

The EU continues to defend and promote a rules-based international order and is working to strengthen the role of global institutions. It does so with the aim of ensuring that its values are upheld and that Europe stands strong in a more contested and unstable world.

Ahead of the 80th UN General Assembly, the EU reaffirmed its commitment – open a new tab. to multilateralism based on international law, including the UN Charter, recognising the intrinsic link connecting peace with security, human rights and sustainable development. The EU will remain a predictable, reliable and credible partner, committed to finding global solutions to common challenges, including through the implementation of the Pact for the Future – open a new tab.. The EU is also determined to accelerate efforts to deliver on the 2030 Agenda and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and to support the ongoing UN reform process.

Economic security

A new economic foreign policy that focuses on economic security, trade and investment in partnerships is central to Europe’s prosperity. Open trade can grow businesses and create jobs, but fair competition and a level playing field must be maintained between domestic and foreign producers. Trade defence tools continue to protect EU jobs by promoting a fair business environment for EU firms.

To prevent outbound investments from negatively impacting the EU’s economic security, the Commission has called on Member States to review such investments – open a new tab. in non-EU countries by companies within their territories, in relation to three areas of strategic importance to the EU: semiconductors, artificial intelligence and quantum technologies. This will inform the need for possible future action in this area. Furthermore, interinstitutional negotiations – open a new tab. on improving the EU’s framework for the screening of foreign direct investment were concluded in December, to make investment screening a stronger, more coherent strategic instrument.

International partnerships

International partnerships are a key component of the EU’s external policy. The Global Gateway strategy – open a new tab., which draws on financial tools such as the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe – open a new tab., is the EU’s contribution to narrowing the global investment gap, fully aligned with the UN’s 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals, and with the Paris Agreement – open a new tab.. It has become a trusted strategy to mobilise investment worldwide, creating good local jobs and adding value across the globe, while also strengthening the EU’s competitiveness and security. So far, the Global Gateway has mobilised €306 billion in public and private investment – overshooting the initial target of €300 billion by 2027.

The Global Gateway Investment Hub – open a new tab., launched in October, will significantly add to these efforts by facilitating investment projects by EU companies across partner countries. To consolidate and strengthen the EU’s role as a global actor, the Commission has proposed to increase the efficiency of the External Action Guarantee – open a new tab. by cutting red tape and introducing simplification measures. The External Action Guarantee is a key financial tool under the Global Gateway strategy, offering more affordable loans to unlock investment and build trade relations with partner countries around the world.

International summits

The EU participated in several summits with partner countries in 2025. At the June G7 Summit – open a new tab. in Canada, leaders discussed how to step up support for Ukraine and reiterated their commitment to peace and stability in the Middle East. Other key topics discussed at the summit included strengthening economic coordination, the secure supply of critical minerals, new technologies (artificial intelligence and quantum), the energy transition and ways to better prevent and mitigate wildfires.

The G20 Summit – open a new tab. in Johannesburg, South Africa, marked the first summit on the African continent and concluded the G20’s first cycle of presidencies. The summit outcome focused on important priorities for Europe and Africa, such as the energy transition, critical minerals and debt sustainability. Other key topics discussed included global imbalances, climate action, disaster resilience and artificial intelligence.

The EU reaffirmed its commitment during the year to supporting the Syrian people and aiding Syria’s transition and recovery. At the ninth Brussels Conference, ‘Standing with Syria: Meeting the needs for a successful transition – open a new tab.’, the EU announced nearly €2.5 billion worth of financial commitments for 2025 and 2026 to aid Syria’s transition process and its socioeconomic recovery. The Commission also lifted economic sanctions on Syria – open a new tab., with the exception of those based on security grounds, and in 2025, for the first time, the annual Day of Dialogue – open a new tab. was held in Syria. Finally, following the reintroduction of UN sanctions on Iran, the Commission agreed to reimpose a number of sanctions in relation to the country’s nuclear proliferation activities.

Humanitarian aid

When major natural disasters occur or conflicts break out, millions find themselves in peril. Humanitarian aid becomes a lifeline, providing food, shelter and medical care.

The EU, together with its Member States, is at the forefront of these relief efforts and was the world’s leading donor of humanitarian aid in 2025. It provides life-saving aid based on needs, upholds the protection of humanitarian workers, safeguards international humanitarian principles, protects civilians and defends international humanitarian law – all of which are at the heart of humanitarian diplomacy. In 2025, the EU allocated €2.56 billion in humanitarian assistance and protection.

The EU provided humanitarian aid to its immediate neighbourhood, focusing on Armenia, Moldova, Türkiye and Ukraine. Beyond Palestine, the EU’s humanitarian assistance in the Middle East and North Africa focused on Syria and addressing the needs of Syrian refugees in the region.

The EU is a global humanitarian actor. The war in Sudan – open a new tab. and its spillover into neighbouring countries, the complex and volatile situation in the Greater Horn of Africa and in West and Central Africa – open a new tab. and extreme weather events in the southern Africa and Indian Ocean region – open a new tab. have resulted in mass displacement, food insecurity and even famine. The EU’s humanitarian aid provided life-saving assistance to millions of the most vulnerable and those affected by these crises.

In Asia, EU humanitarian aid continued to address protracted humanitarian crises, such as those in Afghanistan – open a new tab., Bangladesh and Myanmar/Burma – open a new tab., while also responding to sudden natural disasters such as floods in Pakistan – open a new tab. and tropical cyclones in the Philippines – open a new tab. and Vietnam – open a new tab., among others.

In Latin America, EU humanitarian aid supported communities affected by the ongoing crises in countries such as Colombia – open a new tab., Haiti – open a new tab. and Venezuela – open a new tab., along with victims of disasters such as Hurricane Melissa in the Caribbean.