The European Parliament's Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM) voted on 3 June 2026 to adopt two files: an opinion on the Global Europe instrument and a motion for resolution on the impact of the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus on Cypriot women and girls. Both votes passed smoothly with broad cross-group support and no major divergences.
Rapporteur Abir Al-Sahlani (Renew, Sweden) stressed that women, girls, and children are the first victims of conflicts and aid degradation, thanking shadows for cooperation. The opinion on Global Europe was adopted after a series of compromise amendments, with the final vote taken by roll call. The resolution on Cyprus, rapporteur Eleonora Meleti (EPP, Greece), recalled the committee's mission to Cyprus a year ago and said the resolution provides moral reparation to victims of sexual violence used as a weapon of war, noting excellent cross-group cooperation. Loukas Fourlas (EPP, Greece) added that after 51 years, victims feel some reparation. The resolution and an accompanying oral question were adopted.
The votes affect several stakeholder groups. Women and girls in conflict zones stand to benefit from the Global Europe opinion's emphasis on gender-sensitive aid, while Cypriot victims of the 1974 invasion gain moral recognition through the resolution. Beneficiaries of EU external aid under Global Europe may see continued or enhanced gender-focused programming. The smooth adoption reflects broad consensus across political groups, with no significant trade-offs reported.