Introduction
Understanding the European Parliament's delegations
Interparliamentary delegations are standing bodies of Parliament comprising groups of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) that officially maintain and further deepen relations with the parliaments of non-EU countries, regions and organisations. Delegations are instruments of parliamentary diplomacy and scrutiny.
In regular discussions with parliamentarians of non-EU countries, delegation members have the opportunity to share their views on issues of common interest, on the state of relations with any given country or region, to make their partners aware of EU values, and at the same time, to familiarise themselves with positions taken by other parliaments and governments.
Parliamentary diplomacy is an integral part of wider EU relations with non-EU countries.
Interparliamentary meetings
Delegations organise interparliamentary meetings with elected representatives from outside the EU.
These meetings are generally held at regular intervals, depending on the type of delegation, and take place in alternating venues: for one meeting, MEPs will travel to another parliament outside the EU, and, for the next, the European Parliament delegation will host its guests in either Strasbourg or Brussels.
When interparliamentary meetings take place outside the EU, the programme will generally include meetings with interlocutors in government and civil society, in addition to meetings in the hosting parliament. MEPs often also use the opportunity to visit EU-funded projects.
Digital diplomacy is an increasingly important feature of delegation activities. As well as participating in in-person meetings, delegations remain in regular contact via online meetings and events, and can respond quickly to developing events and urgent issues within the EU and in partner countries or regions.
Discussions in Brussels and Strasbourg
Delegations also hold meetings in Brussels and Strasbourg, either alone or with other delegations or committees, to plan their interparliamentary encounters and to discuss the situation in their partners' countries.
Delegations regularly invite external guests to give presentations and exchange views; these include interlocutors from the European Commission, the European External Action Service, the respective embassies, academia and civil society organisations.
Number and structure of standing delegations
The number, structure and composition of interparliamentary delegations may differ from one term to another. There were 48 'standing' - in other words, permanent - delegations at the end of the previous term (2019-2024).
There are various types of delegations: interparliamentary delegations, delegations to joint parliamentary committees, delegations to parliamentary cooperation committees and delegations to multilateral parliamentary assemblies.
At any time, and in addition to the regular interparliamentary meetings, Parliament may also decide to send ad hoc delegations, i.e. officially appointed groups of MEPs, to non-EU countries in response to specific political developments or to take part in conferences or other events.
Composition
All delegations have the same structure: they have one Chair and two Vice-Chairs, who are elected by that delegation's members.
All delegation members are nominated by Parliament's political groups, with the total composition of each delegation reflecting Parliament's overall political balance.
Every single MEP is a member of a standing delegation. Some belong to more than one.
The largest delegations are usually those that participate in parliamentary assemblies, where several parliaments convene.
Rules
The delegations must follow strict rules that are laid out in several documents and decisions.
Two of Parliament's official Rules of Procedure focus on delegations and many of the rules for committees also apply to delegations.
The most extensive rules for delegations are contained in an official document called the 'Implementing provisions governing the work of delegations and missions outside the European Union'.
That text lays out the general aim of Parliament's delegations: 'maintaining and enhancing contacts with parliaments of States that are traditionally partners of the European Union and [...] promoting [...] the values on which the European Union is founded'.
The provisions also describe how Parliament's delegations should respect Parliament's positions and standards.
Other articles explain which MEPs can join a delegation's trips outside the EU. In order to keep costs down, the number of participants is strictly controlled, with all trips requiring prior authorisation.
Relationship with committees
Parliament has three full committees and two subcommittees focusing on activities outside the EU ('external action'). These committees have a privileged relationship with the delegations.
Committees and delegations keep one another informed of their meetings and discussions, and invite each other's members to join their proceedings and assignments, including when they travel outside the EU.
Of the various committees, the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) plays the most critical role for the delegations. AFET coordinates and is responsible for political oversight of the delegations - not only of standing delegations, but of all MEPs travelling on official Parliament business to countries outside the EU.
The Committee on International Trade (INTA) liaises with all delegations when the agenda touches on international economic and trade issues.
The Committee on Development (DEVE) coordinates delegations that address development issues.
Before any delegation meets with elected representatives from outside the EU, committees may suggest political topics that the delegation could or should address. After the meeting, the Chair of the delegation reports back to the relevant committees.
Focusing on democracy and human rights
Many delegations also involve the European Parliament's Democracy and Elections Coordination Group (DEG) in their work. This body, headed by the Chairs of AFET and DEVE, oversees Parliament's efforts in strengthening democracy and human rights outside the EU.
One of the group's principal activities is organising election observation missions. Between 10 and 12 times a year, MEPs travel to non-EU countries to observe voting processes. Their experience as elected representatives adds political credibility to their evaluations.
Other projects overseen by the DEG aim to help parliaments in non-EU countries grow stronger and achieve their full potential.
Gender mainstreaming
Each delegation nominates one of its members to be responsible for gender mainstreaming in the work of the delegation.
Outreach to civil society and non-parliamentary stakeholders
Delegations maintain contacts with civil society actors and non-parliamentary stakeholders in the country or region on which they work. Exchanges can take place at Parliament's places of work or when the delegation is visiting a non-EU country. In certain cases, specific meeting slots are reserved for engagement with young people and women.
In regular discussions with parliamentarians of non-EU countries, delegation members have the opportunity to share their views on issues of common interest, on the state of relations with any given country or region, to make their partners aware of EU values, and at the same time, to familiarise themselves with positions taken by other parliaments and governments.
Parliamentary diplomacy is an integral part of wider EU relations with non-EU countries.
Interparliamentary meetings
Delegations organise interparliamentary meetings with elected representatives from outside the EU.
These meetings are generally held at regular intervals, depending on the type of delegation, and take place in alternating venues: for one meeting, MEPs will travel to another parliament outside the EU, and, for the next, the European Parliament delegation will host its guests in either Strasbourg or Brussels.
When interparliamentary meetings take place outside the EU, the programme will generally include meetings with interlocutors in government and civil society, in addition to meetings in the hosting parliament. MEPs often also use the opportunity to visit EU-funded projects.
Digital diplomacy is an increasingly important feature of delegation activities. As well as participating in in-person meetings, delegations remain in regular contact via online meetings and events, and can respond quickly to developing events and urgent issues within the EU and in partner countries or regions.
Discussions in Brussels and Strasbourg
Delegations also hold meetings in Brussels and Strasbourg, either alone or with other delegations or committees, to plan their interparliamentary encounters and to discuss the situation in their partners' countries.
Delegations regularly invite external guests to give presentations and exchange views; these include interlocutors from the European Commission, the European External Action Service, the respective embassies, academia and civil society organisations.
Number and structure of standing delegations
The number, structure and composition of interparliamentary delegations may differ from one term to another. There were 48 'standing' - in other words, permanent - delegations at the end of the previous term (2019-2024).
There are various types of delegations: interparliamentary delegations, delegations to joint parliamentary committees, delegations to parliamentary cooperation committees and delegations to multilateral parliamentary assemblies.
At any time, and in addition to the regular interparliamentary meetings, Parliament may also decide to send ad hoc delegations, i.e. officially appointed groups of MEPs, to non-EU countries in response to specific political developments or to take part in conferences or other events.
Composition
All delegations have the same structure: they have one Chair and two Vice-Chairs, who are elected by that delegation's members.
All delegation members are nominated by Parliament's political groups, with the total composition of each delegation reflecting Parliament's overall political balance.
Every single MEP is a member of a standing delegation. Some belong to more than one.
The largest delegations are usually those that participate in parliamentary assemblies, where several parliaments convene.
Rules
The delegations must follow strict rules that are laid out in several documents and decisions.
Two of Parliament's official Rules of Procedure focus on delegations and many of the rules for committees also apply to delegations.
The most extensive rules for delegations are contained in an official document called the 'Implementing provisions governing the work of delegations and missions outside the European Union'.
That text lays out the general aim of Parliament's delegations: 'maintaining and enhancing contacts with parliaments of States that are traditionally partners of the European Union and [...] promoting [...] the values on which the European Union is founded'.
The provisions also describe how Parliament's delegations should respect Parliament's positions and standards.
Other articles explain which MEPs can join a delegation's trips outside the EU. In order to keep costs down, the number of participants is strictly controlled, with all trips requiring prior authorisation.
Relationship with committees
Parliament has three full committees and two subcommittees focusing on activities outside the EU ('external action'). These committees have a privileged relationship with the delegations.
Committees and delegations keep one another informed of their meetings and discussions, and invite each other's members to join their proceedings and assignments, including when they travel outside the EU.
Of the various committees, the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) plays the most critical role for the delegations. AFET coordinates and is responsible for political oversight of the delegations - not only of standing delegations, but of all MEPs travelling on official Parliament business to countries outside the EU.
The Committee on International Trade (INTA) liaises with all delegations when the agenda touches on international economic and trade issues.
The Committee on Development (DEVE) coordinates delegations that address development issues.
Before any delegation meets with elected representatives from outside the EU, committees may suggest political topics that the delegation could or should address. After the meeting, the Chair of the delegation reports back to the relevant committees.
Focusing on democracy and human rights
Many delegations also involve the European Parliament's Democracy and Elections Coordination Group (DEG) in their work. This body, headed by the Chairs of AFET and DEVE, oversees Parliament's efforts in strengthening democracy and human rights outside the EU.
One of the group's principal activities is organising election observation missions. Between 10 and 12 times a year, MEPs travel to non-EU countries to observe voting processes. Their experience as elected representatives adds political credibility to their evaluations.
Other projects overseen by the DEG aim to help parliaments in non-EU countries grow stronger and achieve their full potential.
Gender mainstreaming
Each delegation nominates one of its members to be responsible for gender mainstreaming in the work of the delegation.
Outreach to civil society and non-parliamentary stakeholders
Delegations maintain contacts with civil society actors and non-parliamentary stakeholders in the country or region on which they work. Exchanges can take place at Parliament's places of work or when the delegation is visiting a non-EU country. In certain cases, specific meeting slots are reserved for engagement with young people and women.
Data Protection in Delegations