Where the law stands, Dossier 2025/2169(INI)
Recommendation for the Council, for the Commission and for the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on the changing geopolitical situation in East Asia and the need for closer cooperation with like-minded partners in the region
Own-initiative report (INI): Parliament’s own position on a topic. It is not binding. · First reading
Parliament sets out its own position on a topic. The resolution is not binding but signals what Parliament wants.
Where it stands
Parliament’s position
Parliament adopted the text on 7 July 2026. This is its final position on the matter.
- Referred to committee(done) 11 September 2025
- Committee work(done) Report adopted 24 June 2026
- Tabled for plenary(done) 30 June 2026
- Plenary vote(done) Adopted 7 July 2026
- Parliament’s position(done) Final
Decided in plenary
7 July 2026 · decision 11
Foreign affairs, Resolution
Recommendation on the changing geopolitical situation in East Asia and the need for closer cooperation with like-minded partners in the region
Adopted 542 for · 37 against · 79 abstained by an overwhelming majority
AI summary:The text calls for deeper EU engagement with Japan, the Republic of Korea and Taiwan on security, defence, economic resilience and emerging technologies.
What changed
Latest Tabled for plenary → Adopted by Parliament
AI summary:Adds a recital on the security dependence of Japan, South Korea and Taiwan on the US and the need to diversify partnerships with the EU. Updates the description of DPRK missile tests by removing the reference to tests over Japan and into the Sea of Japan. Updates the EU-Japan Digital Partnership Council details: date, ordinal, and wording on the joint research project. Adds that negotiations with Japan on joining Horizon Europe have been completed. The other changes are formal: renumbering of recitals.
Committee draft → Tabled for plenary
AI summary:The report significantly expands its scope, adding many new recitals and recommendations on economic security, partnerships with Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and ASEAN, and specific threats. It introduces new operational recommendations on strategic foresight, military-industrial cooperation, and contingency planning, while deepening existing cooperation areas. The text now emphasizes avoiding bloc-based confrontation, strengthening strategic autonomy, and addressing China's role more pragmatically. It adds detailed provisions on Taiwan, including a possible investment agreement, and on cooperation in digital, green, and security domains. The other changes are formal: updated document title and date.
Who works on it
- Lead committee
- Foreign Affairs
- The MEP who drafts the report and negotiates it on behalf of the committee.
- Adam Bielan (ECR)
- An MEP who follows a report on behalf of their own group when another group holds the rapporteur.
- Sebastião Bugalho (EPP), Sandra Gómez López (S&D), Mieke Andriese (Patriots), Helmut Brandstätter (Renew), Ville Niinistö (Greens), Jonas Sjöstedt (The Left), Alexander Sell (ESN)
- Committees giving an opinion
- International Trade· rapporteurRihards Kols (ECR)
The text, version by version
Newest first.
Adopted by Parliament· 7 Jul 2026
AI summary:Parliament recommends closer EU cooperation with like-minded East Asian partners, notably Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, to uphold the rules-based order, maritime security and economic security.
Tabled for plenary· 30 Jun 2026
AI summary:Parliament recommends that the Council, Commission and High Representative intensify EU engagement with East Asia, deepen cooperation with Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, and uphold international law, including on maritime disputes.
Committee draft· 27 Jan 2026
AI summary:This draft report recommends that the Council, Commission and High Representative intensify EU strategic focus and cooperation in East Asia with like-minded partners, particularly Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, to address security, economic and geopolitical challenges.
Committee opinions: Draft opinion (INTA), Opinion (INTA)
Timeline
Newest first.
Plenary stage 3 steps
7 July 2026
Plenary vote
Sitting of 7 Jul 2026 Report A10-0189/2026Adopted text TA10-0246/2026
1 July 2026
12 amendments tabled for the plenary vote
Groups propose changes to the tabled text; each is voted on before the final vote.
30 June 2026
Report tabled for plenary
This is the text all MEPs vote on. Political groups can still table amendments to it.
Committee stage 5 steps
24 June 2026
Committee vote: report adopted
AFET (Foreign Affairs) voted on the amendments and adopted the report that goes to plenary.
6 May 2026
INTA (International Trade) adopted its opinion
The opinion is attached to the report for the lead committee to consider.
14 April 2026
Amendments tabled in committee
Members of AFET (Foreign Affairs) proposed changes to the draft.
27 January 2026
Draft report published
The rapporteur’s first text in AFET (Foreign Affairs). Members can table amendments before the committee votes.
11 September 2025
Referred to the AFET (Foreign Affairs) committee
The lead committee prepares the report; INTA (International Trade) gives an opinion.
Official record: Legislative Observatory, 2025/2169(INI)