European Political Community
{{EngvarB|date=November 2023}}
{{Short description|International diplomatic meeting}}
{{distinguish|text=European Political Co-operation, the European Political Community (1952), the European Economic Community or the Council of Europe}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox geopolitical organisation
| name = European Political Community
| linking_name = European Political Community (2022)
| image_flag =
| symbol_type = Logo
| image_symbol = European Political Community logo.svg
| symbol_width = 190px
| image_map = European_Political_Community.svg
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| map_caption = {{legend|#0042acff|Participating states}}
| org_type = Intergovernmental organisation
| membership_type = Membership
| membership = 47 participating states
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| admin_center =
| languages_type = Working languages
| languages =
| leader_title1 = Current host
| leader_name1 = {{Flag|Albania}}
| current_chair1 =
| leader_title2 = Next host
| leader_name2 = {{Flag|Denmark}}
| incoming_chair =
| established_event1 = Initial proposal
| established_date1 = 9 May 2022
| established_event2 = Agreed at European Council
| established_date2 = 24 June 2022
| established_event3 = Inaugural Summit
| established_date3 = 6 October 2022 Prague
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}}
The European Political Community (EPC) is an intergovernmental forum for political and strategic discussions about the future of Europe, established in 2022 after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.{{Cite news |last=Tidey |first=Alice |date=5 October 2022 |title=What we know and don't know about the new European Political Community |language=en |work=euronews |url=https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2022/10/05/what-we-know-and-dont-know-about-the-european-political-community |access-date=6 October 2022 |archive-date=18 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018060311/https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2022/10/05/what-we-know-and-dont-know-about-the-european-political-community |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=28 September 2023 |title=EPC Observatory – Think Tank Forum in Granada |url=https://www.ceps.eu/ceps-events/epc-observatory-think-tank-forum-in-granada/ |access-date=5 October 2023 |website=CEPS |language=en-US}} The group first met in October 2022 in Prague, with participants from 44 European countries, as well as the Presidents of the European Council and the European Commission.{{cite news |title=Meeting of the European Political Community, 6 October 2022 |url=https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/international-summit/2022/10/06/ |access-date=6 October 2022 |publisher=Europa (web portal) |date=6 October 2022 |language=en |archive-date=28 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221028164448/https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/international-summit/2022/10/06/ |url-status=live }} It is distinct from both the European Union (which is a participant) and the Council of Europe (represented by its Secretary General).
History
The European Political Community was proposed by the French president Emmanuel Macron at the Conference on the Future of Europe on 9 May 2022 after the Russian invasion of Ukraine,{{Cite web |last1=Brzozowski |first1=Alexandra |last2=Basso |first2=Davide |last3=Vasques |first3=Eleonora |date=9 May 2022 |title=Macron teases alternative to EU enlargement |url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/future-eu/news/macron-teases-alternative-to-eu-enlargement/ |access-date=8 September 2022 |website=euractiv.com |language=en-GB |archive-date=10 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220510080037/https://www.euractiv.com/section/future-eu/news/macron-teases-alternative-to-eu-enlargement/ |url-status=live }} in his role as the president of the Council of the European Union (EU). The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, also put forward a similar proposal for the establishment of a "European geopolitical community".{{Cite web|last=Stratulat|first=Corina|date=3 October 2022|title=The beginning of the European Political Community|url=https://www.epc.eu/en/publications/The-beginning-of-the-European-Political-Community~4b012c|website=European Policy Centre|access-date=|archive-date=28 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128000024/https://www.epc.eu/en/publications/The-beginning-of-the-European-Political-Community~4b012c|url-status=live}} On 23–24 June 2022, formation of the community was agreed to at a meeting of the European Council.{{Cite web|url=https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2022/06/24/european-council-conclusions-on-wider-europe-and-the-conference-on-the-future-of-europe-23-june-2022/|title=European Council conclusions on Wider Europe and the Conference on the Future of Europe, 23 June 2022|publisher=Europa (web portal)|access-date=26 January 2023 |archive-date=26 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230126134326/https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2022/06/24/european-council-conclusions-on-wider-europe-and-the-conference-on-the-future-of-europe-23-june-2022/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=Conclusions du Conseil européen, 23 et 24 juin 2022 - Présidence française du Conseil de l'Union européenne 2022 |url=http://presidence-francaise.consilium.europa.eu/fr/actualites/conclusions-du-conseil-europeen-23-24-06/ |access-date=20 September 2022 |website=Présidence française du Conseil de l'Union européenne |language=fr |archive-date=25 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625131832/http://presidence-francaise.consilium.europa.eu/fr/actualites/conclusions-du-conseil-europeen-23-24-06/ |url-status=live }} On 29 September 2022, the United Kingdom announced that it would participate in the community.{{Cite web |date=29 September 2022 |title=Brexit Britain wants to come back |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/brexit-britain-wants-to-host-big-european-political-summit/ |access-date=30 September 2022 |website=Politico |language=en-US |archive-date=29 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929174811/https://www.politico.eu/article/brexit-britain-wants-to-host-big-european-political-summit/ |url-status=live }} The group convened for the first time on 6 October 2022 with leaders from 44 states in attendance. Russia and Belarus were deliberately excluded from participation. In January 2023, it was confirmed that San Marino had joined the community becoming its 45th participating state.{{cite tweet|user=MarosSefcovic|number=1616572585952550912|title=We're strengthening our partnerships with countries sharing the same values}}{{Cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/speech_23_301|title=Remarks by Vice-President Šefčovič at the joint press conference with Minister Beccari Luca|website=European Commission - European Commission|access-date=28 January 2023 |archive-date=30 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230130153531/https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/speech_23_301|url-status=live}} The heads of government of Andorra and Monaco were also invited to the second summit bringing the number of participants up to 47.{{Cite web|url=https://www.europapress.es/catalunya/andorra-01111/noticia-andorra-abre-estudiar-efectos-no-acuerdo-asociacion-ue-20230303151516.html|title=Andorra se abre a estudiar los efectos de un 'no' al acuerdo de asociación con la UE|date=3 March 2023|publisher=Europa Press|access-date=16 March 2023 |archive-date=5 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405170724/https://www.europapress.es/catalunya/andorra-01111/noticia-andorra-abre-estudiar-efectos-no-acuerdo-asociacion-ue-20230303151516.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.lesechos.fr/monde/europe/la-moldavie-face-au-defi-dun-sommet-a-47-leaders-1916225|title=La Moldavie face au défi d'un sommet à 47 leaders|date=16 March 2023|website=Les Echos|access-date=16 March 2023 |archive-date=26 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230526004017/https://www.lesechos.fr/monde/europe/la-moldavie-face-au-defi-dun-sommet-a-47-leaders-1916225|url-status=live}}
Aim
In his address to the European Parliament on 9 May 2022, French President Emmanuel Macron proposed the European Political Community as "a new European organization" that would allow countries "that subscribe to our shared core values to find a new space for cooperation" on politics, security, energy, infrastructure, investment, and migration.{{Cite web|url=https://cepa.org/comprehensive-reports/the-road-to-chisinau-the-european-political-community/|title=The Road to Chişinău: The European Political Community|first=Sam Greene, Edward Lucas, Nicolas|last=Tenzer|date=23 May 2023|website=CEPA|access-date=24 May 2023 |archive-date=24 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524092508/https://cepa.org/comprehensive-reports/the-road-to-chisinau-the-european-political-community/|url-status=live}}
The aim of the European Political Community is to provide a policy coordination platform for European countries across the continent and to foster political dialogue and cooperation to address issues of common interest, so as to strengthen the security, stability and prosperity of the European continent, in particular in regard to the European energy crisis.{{Cite news |last=Cohen |first=Roger |date=6 October 2022 |title=Macron's New Europe Debuts in the Shadow of War |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/06/world/europe/macron-european-political-community.html |access-date=6 October 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=22 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221022041322/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/06/world/europe/macron-european-political-community.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|url=https://open.overheid.nl/repository/ronl-0eb63766fdcefc637c835705765fd68d67d3d7f2/1/pdf/non-paper-european-political-community.pdf|title=European political community|access-date=31 January 2023 |archive-date=31 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131180507/https://open.overheid.nl/repository/ronl-0eb63766fdcefc637c835705765fd68d67d3d7f2/1/pdf/non-paper-european-political-community.pdf|url-status=live}}
- strengthening the links between EU member states and non-EU member states who share the same European values,
- increasing cooperation between the member countries on a large scale of topics such as peace, security, energy, climate, migration and the current economic situation,
- allowing candidate states to start taking part in some European projects, such as student and university exchanges.
Following a bilateral summit meeting between the leaders of the United Kingdom and France on 10 March 2023, it was stated in the joint declaration that the EPC should focus on energy, infrastructures, connectivity, cybersecurity, countering disinformation and migration.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-france-joint-leaders-declaration/uk-france-joint-leaders-declaration|title=UK-France Joint Leaders' Declaration|website=GOV.UK|access-date=11 March 2023 |archive-date=11 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311201851/https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-france-joint-leaders-declaration/uk-france-joint-leaders-declaration|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.elysee.fr/emmanuel-macron/2023/03/10/declaration-conjointe-36eme-sommet-franco-britannique|title=Déclaration conjointe – 36ème Sommet franco-britannique.|date=10 March 2023|website=elysee.fr|access-date=11 March 2023 |archive-date=11 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311202143/https://www.elysee.fr/emmanuel-macron/2023/03/10/declaration-conjointe-36eme-sommet-franco-britannique|url-status=live}}
Structure
The European Political Community is envisaged as an intergovernmental forum for heads of states and governments similar to the G7 or G20 and upon establishment did not have its own secretariat, budget or staff.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gisreportsonline.com/r/epc-dialogue/|title=Europe's newest forum: Space for dialogue or photo opportunity?|first=Yoni|last=Wilkenfeld|date=21 December 2022|access-date=16 January 2023 |archive-date=21 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121130133/https://www.gisreportsonline.com/r/epc-dialogue/|url-status=live}} Each summit is primarily organised by the hosting country. Initially, the incoming host, outgoing host and future host constituted a hosting trio to coordinate organising summits and the setting agendas.{{Cite web|url=https://big-europe.eu/publication/bringing-the-greater-european-family-together|title=Bringing the greater European family together — Brussels Institute for Geopolitics|website=big-europe.eu|date=May 2023 |access-date=29 May 2023 |archive-date=29 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529111317/https://big-europe.eu/publication/bringing-the-greater-european-family-together|url-status=live}}{{Cite journal|url=https://www.csis.org/analysis/chisinau-summit-litmus-test-moldova-and-epc|title=The Chisinau Summit: A Litmus Test for Moldova and the EPC|first1=Mathieu|last1=Droin|first2=Ilke|last2=Toygür|date=26 May 2023|website=csis.org|access-date=29 May 2023 |archive-date=29 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529111316/https://www.csis.org/analysis/chisinau-summit-litmus-test-moldova-and-epc|url-status=live}}{{Cite book|url=https://cadmus.eui.eu/handle/1814/75609|title=The European political community: a forum in search of a role|first=Teona|last=Giuashvili|date=1 June 2023|publisher=European University Institute|doi=10.2870/828007 |isbn=9789294664105 |via=cadmus.eui.eu|access-date=30 May 2023 |archive-date=30 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230530093852/https://cadmus.eui.eu/handle/1814/75609|url-status=live}} This was expanded to a quartet following the fourth summit in July 2024.{{cite web | url=https://epc-observatory.info/summits/ | title=Summits }}
In January 2023, the Government of France began recruiting a small task force, led by a project manager, to support the work of the EPC. The task force will help coordinate the preparation and organisation of EPC Summits, support the institutional development of the EPC, facilitate the insertion of the EPC in the space European diplomacy (EU, Council of Europe) and contribute to mobilising various other actors (such as development banks) in support of the work of the EPC.{{Cite web|url=https://place-emploi-public.gouv.fr/offre-emploi/|title=Chargée/chargé de mission communauté politique européenne|website=Place de l'emploi public}}
The invitation letter for the first summit was signed by European Council President Charles Michel.{{Cite web|url=https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/59328/invitation-to-the-epc-and-the-informal-european-council.pdf|title=First meeting of the European Political Community|access-date=26 January 2023 |archive-date=26 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230126132931/https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/59328/invitation-to-the-epc-and-the-informal-european-council.pdf|url-status=live}} For the second summit, invitation letters were jointly signed by Charles Michel and Maia Sandu, the president of the hosting country.{{Cite web|url=https://www.presedinte.md/rom/presa/cea-de-a-doua-reuniune-a-comunitatii-politice-europene-va-avea-loc-pe-1-iunie-2023-la-chisinau|title=Cea de-a doua reuniune a Comunității Politice Europene va avea loc pe 1 iunie 2023, la Chișinău — Președinția Republicii Moldova|accessdate=11 March 2023|archive-date=19 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230119175435/https://www.presedinte.md/rom/presa/cea-de-a-doua-reuniune-a-comunitatii-politice-europene-va-avea-loc-pe-1-iunie-2023-la-chisinau|url-status=live}}
As the community has not launched an official website, the agendas, press releases and multimedia resources for the summits are published on the website of the European Council.{{Cite web|url=https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/international-summit/2022/10/06/|title=Meeting of the European Political Community, 6 October 2022|publisher=Europa (web portal)|access-date=6 October 2022 |archive-date=28 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221028164448/https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/international-summit/2022/10/06/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://newsroom.consilium.europa.eu/events/20221006-meeting-of-the-european-political-community-october-2022|title=Council of EU - Newsroom|publisher=Europa (web portal)|access-date=16 January 2023 |archive-date=13 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221013084233/https://newsroom.consilium.europa.eu/events/20221006-meeting-of-the-european-political-community-october-2022|url-status=live}}
Symbols
File:Interim logo of the European Political Community.png
A wordmark consisting of the English language name of the community in blue capital letters has been used since the first summit in October 2022.{{Cite web|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/new-european-political-community-forum-holds-inaugural-meeting-in-prague-/6779285.html|title=New European Political Community Forum Holds Inaugural Meeting in Prague|website=VOA|date=6 October 2022 |access-date=25 January 2023 |archive-date=25 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125153155/https://www.voanews.com/a/new-european-political-community-forum-holds-inaugural-meeting-in-prague-/6779285.html|url-status=live}} A logo consisting of the abbreviation "EPC" in blue on a white background was introduced in the lead up to the second summit.{{Cite web|url=https://epcsummit2023.md/|title=Home page | European Political Community Summit|website=epcsummit2023.md|access-date=28 April 2023 |archive-date=28 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230428072936/https://epcsummit2023.md/|url-status=live}}
As a condition for the United Kingdom's participation, Liz Truss during her brief tenure as prime minister insisted that the European Political Community should not use symbols associated with the European Union such as the European Flag or the European Anthem.{{Cite web|url=https://www.eureporter.co/world/moldova/2023/06/02/as-the-european-political-community-meets-again-its-role-starts-to-take-shape/|title=As the European Political Community meets again, its role starts to take shape|first=Nick|last=Powell|date=2 June 2023|website=EU Reporter}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/liz-truss-eu-flags-prague-simmit-b2197709.html|title=Liz Truss 'demanded no EU flags' at Prague European summit|date=7 October 2022|website=The Independent|access-date=25 January 2023 |archive-date=25 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125154305/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/liz-truss-eu-flags-prague-simmit-b2197709.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1679443/Brexit-news-liz-truss-UK-EU-flags-European-Community-meeting-Prague-liz-truss|title=UK demanded no EU flags at European Community meeting in Prague|first=Millie|last=Cooke|date=7 October 2022|website=Daily Express|access-date=25 January 2023 |archive-date=25 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125152804/https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1679443/Brexit-news-liz-truss-UK-EU-flags-European-Community-meeting-Prague-liz-truss|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/short_news/uk-demanded-no-eu-flags-at-prague-gathering/|title=UK demanded no EU flags at Prague gathering|first1=Aneta|last1=Zachová|first2=Sarantis|last2=Michalopoulos|date=7 October 2022|website=euractiv.com|access-date=25 January 2023 |archive-date=18 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221218232859/http://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/short_news/uk-demanded-no-eu-flags-at-prague-gathering/|url-status=live}}
Summits
File:Ilham Aliyev attended inaugural meeting of European Political Community Summit in Prague 08.jpg
Two summits are held every year with the spring summit being hosted by a non-EU member state and the autumn summit hosted by an EU member state.{{Cite web|url=https://www.delorscentre.eu/en/publications/european-political-community|title=European Political Community: From family photo to 'strategic intimacy'|website=Jacques Delors Centre}} The autumn summit is held in the country assuming the presidency of the Council of the European Union during that semester.
The first summit took place in Prague on 6 October 2022.{{Cite web |title=Informal meeting of heads of state or government, Prague, 6 October 2022 |url=https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/european-council/2022/10/06-07/ |access-date=8 September 2022 |publisher=Europa (web portal) |language=en |archive-date=7 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707040821/https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/european-council/2022/10/06-07/ |url-status=live }} The event was covered live by the Eurovision network.{{Cite web |date=10 July 2022 |title=Eurovision Services: Informal EU 27 Summit and Leaders Meeting within the European Political Community |url=https://www.eurovision.net/events/news/no-category/51063/details |access-date=8 September 2022 |website=eurovision.net |language=en |archive-date=8 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220908121445/https://www.eurovision.net/events/news/no-category/51063/details |url-status=live }}
Following the first summit, it was decided that Moldova will hold the following meeting, and topics on which leaders agreed to work on include protecting "key facilities" such as pipelines, undersea cables, and satellites. It was also agreed that the next two summits would take place in Spain and in the United Kingdom.{{cite news |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-business-turkey-prague-middle-east-508b968f182e5da7cf721f9928f2a937 |title=Europe holds 44-leader summit, leaves Russia in the cold |author=Lorne Cook |author2=Karel Janicek |author3=Sylvie Corbet |work=Associated Press News |date=6 October 2022 |access-date=6 October 2022 |archive-date=19 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019115051/https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-business-turkey-prague-middle-east-508b968f182e5da7cf721f9928f2a937 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://cepa.org/comprehensive-reports/the-road-to-chisinau-the-european-political-community/ |title=The Road to Chişinău: The European Political Community |author=Sam Greene |author2=Edward Lucas |author3=Nicolas Tenzer |publisher=Center for European Policy Analysis |date=23 May 2023 |access-date=25 May 2023 |archive-date=24 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524092508/https://cepa.org/comprehensive-reports/the-road-to-chisinau-the-european-political-community/ |url-status=live }}
In May 2023, Switzerland expressed an interest in hosting an EPC summit in spring 2025.{{Cite news|url=https://www.letemps.ch/suisse/suisse-veut-accueillir-un-sommet-communaute-politique-europeenne|title=La Suisse veut accueillir un sommet de la Communauté politique européenne|date=29 May 2023|via=letemps.ch|access-date=29 May 2023 |archive-date=29 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529111640/https://www.letemps.ch/suisse/suisse-veut-accueillir-un-sommet-communaute-politique-europeenne|url-status=live}} Serbia has also expressed an interest in hosting a future summit.{{Cite web |title=Вучич предложил Белград как площадку для саммита Европейского политического сообщества |url=https://tass.ru/mezhdunarodnaya-panorama/17906669 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601155200/https://tass.ru/mezhdunarodnaya-panorama/17906669 |archive-date=1 June 2023 |access-date=1 June 2023 |agency=TASS}} During the closing press conference of the 4th summit, the British prime minister, Keir Starmer, confirmed that the next summit will take place in Hungary followed by summits in Albania and Denmark in 2025.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pms-press-conference-remarks-at-the-european-political-community-summit-18-july-2024|title=PM's press conference remarks at the European Political Community summit: 18 July 2024|date=18 July 2024|website=GOV.UK}} In May 2025, it was announced that the EPC spring summits would be hosted by Armenia in 2026,{{Cite web|url=https://arka.am/en/news/politics/pashinyan-armenia-to-host-european-political-community-summit/|title=Pashinyan: Armenia to host European Political Community summit|website=arka.am}} Switzerland in 2027,{{Cite web|url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/foreign-affairs/switzerland-to-host-epc-summit-in-2027-antonio-costa/89404403|title=Switzerland to host European Political Community summit in 2027|first=S. W. I.|last=swissinfo.ch|date=24 May 2025}} and Azerbaijan in 2028,{{Cite web|url=https://www.azernews.az/analysis/242232.html|title=Regional transformation begins as EPC looks to Baku for leadership [OPINION]|date=24 May 2025|website=Azernews.Az}} and that the autumn summits would be hosted by the Republic of Ireland in 2026, Greece in 2027 and Latvia in 2028.https://x.com/eucopresident/status/1925905325216944386
Participants
{{Supranational European Bodies|size=400px|align=right}}
The countries and international organisations participating in the European Political Community are as follows:{{Cite web|url=https://czech-presidency.consilium.europa.eu/en/presidency/prague-summit/european-political-community/|title=European Political Community|website=Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union|access-date=6 October 2022 |archive-date=12 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221012105201/https://czech-presidency.consilium.europa.eu/en/presidency/prague-summit/european-political-community/|url-status=live}}
;Countries participating
{{Div col|small=no}}
- {{flagcountry|Albania}}
- {{flagcountry|Andorra}}
- {{flagcountry|Armenia}}
- {{Flagcountry|Austria}}
- {{flagcountry|Azerbaijan}}
- {{flagcountry|Belgium}}
- {{flagcountry|Bosnia and Herzegovina}}
- {{Flagcountry|Bulgaria}}
- {{flagcountry|Croatia}}
- {{flagcountry|Cyprus}}{{efn|name=status}}
- {{flagcountry|Czech Republic}}
- {{flagcountry|Denmark}}
- {{flagcountry|Estonia}}
- {{flagcountry|Finland}}
- {{flagcountry|France}}
- {{flagcountry|Georgia}}
- {{flagcountry|Germany}}
- {{flagcountry|Greece}}
- {{flagcountry|Hungary}}
- {{flagcountry|Iceland}}
- {{flagcountry|Ireland}}
- {{flagcountry|Italy}}
- {{flagcountry|Kosovo}}{{efn|name=status}}
- {{flagcountry|Latvia}}
- {{flagcountry|Liechtenstein}}
- {{flagcountry|Lithuania}}
- {{flagcountry|Luxembourg}}
- {{flagcountry|Malta}}
- {{flagcountry|Moldova}}
- {{flagcountry|Monaco}}
- {{flagcountry|Montenegro}}
- {{flagcountry|Netherlands}}
- {{Flagcountry|North Macedonia}}
- {{flagcountry|Norway}}
- {{flagcountry|Poland}}
- {{flagcountry|Portugal}}
- {{flagcountry|Romania}}
- {{flagcountry|San Marino}}
- {{flagcountry|Serbia}}
- {{flagcountry|Slovakia}}
- {{flagcountry|Slovenia}}
- {{flagcountry|Spain}}
- {{flagcountry|Sweden}}
- {{flagcountry|Switzerland}}
- {{flagcountry|Turkey}}
- {{flagcountry|Ukraine}}
- {{flagcountry|United Kingdom}}
{{Div col end}}
;Organisations participating
- {{flagcountry|Council of Europe}}
- {{flagcountry|European Union}}
{{flagicon image|}} ∟ European Council
{{flagicon image|}} ∟ European Commission
{{flagicon image|}} ∟ European Parliament - {{flagcountry|NATO}}
- {{flagcountry|OSCE}}
;European countries not participating
- {{flagcountry|Vatican City}}
;European countries not invited
- {{flagcountry|Belarus}}
- {{flagcountry|Russia}}
Achievements
During the first summit, it was agreed that a European Union-led mission would be deployed on the Armenian side of the border with Azerbaijan for a period of two months of monitoring following the Armenia–Azerbaijan border crisis.{{Cite news|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/armenia-azerbaijan-agree-civilian-eu-mission-border/32069641.html|title=Leaders Of Armenia, Azerbaijan Agree To Civilian EU Mission Along Border|website=RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty|access-date=7 October 2022 |archive-date=28 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221028073518/https://www.rferl.org/a/armenia-azerbaijan-agree-civilian-eu-mission-border/32069641.html|url-status=live}} This mission ultimately led to the deployment of a longer term European Union Mission in Armenia.
The first summit also led to a rapprochement between the United Kingdom and European institutions.{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/european-political-community-leaders-new-forum-overlook-lingering-tension-epc/|title=European leaders giddy with new forum — as long as they overlook lingering tension|date=6 October 2022|access-date=26 March 2023 |archive-date=26 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326104652/https://www.politico.eu/article/european-political-community-leaders-new-forum-overlook-lingering-tension-epc/|url-status=live}} At the summit, the UK agreed to re-engage with the North Seas Energy Cooperation (NSEC){{Cite web|url=https://ecfr.eu/article/friends-with-benefits-how-the-european-political-community-can-further-european-integration/|title=Friends with benefits: How the European Political Community can further European integration – European Council on Foreign Relations|first=Milica|last=Delevic|date=16 December 2022|access-date=17 March 2023 |archive-date=7 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207090812/https://ecfr.eu/article/friends-with-benefits-how-the-european-political-community-can-further-european-integration/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://energy.ec.europa.eu/topics/infrastructure/high-level-groups/north-seas-energy-cooperation_en|title=The North Seas Energy Cooperation|publisher=European Commission|access-date=17 March 2023 |archive-date=28 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328124036/https://energy.ec.europa.eu/topics/infrastructure/high-level-groups/north-seas-energy-cooperation_en|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-signs-agreement-on-offshore-renewable-energy-cooperation|title=UK signs agreement on offshore renewable energy cooperation|website=GOV.UK|access-date=17 March 2023 |archive-date=25 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325132912/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-signs-agreement-on-offshore-renewable-energy-cooperation|url-status=live}} and committed to joining the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) and its Military Mobility programme.{{Cite web |date=24 January 2023 |title=UK-Europe relations finally head in the right direction |url=https://www.chathamhouse.org/2023/01/uk-europe-relations-finally-head-right-direction |access-date=15 February 2023 |website=Chatham House – International Affairs Think Tank |language=en |archive-date=27 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127110849/https://www.chathamhouse.org/2023/01/uk-europe-relations-finally-head-right-direction |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|url=https://ukandeu.ac.uk/the-european-political-community-is-born-now-what/|title=The European Political Community is born – now what?|first=Christian|last=Turner|date=14 October 2022|website=UK in a changing Europe|access-date=17 March 2023 |archive-date=2 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402110346/https://ukandeu.ac.uk/the-european-political-community-is-born-now-what/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://icds.ee/en/the-european-political-community-in-a-global-context/|title=The European Political Community in a Global Context|date=10 January 2023|website=ICDS|access-date=17 March 2023 |archive-date=6 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230206102837/https://icds.ee/en/the-european-political-community-in-a-global-context/|url-status=live}}
The second summit hosted by Moldova coincided with an €87m contribution to non-military logistical aid from the European Peace Facility, as well as the establishment of a civilian mission in Chișinău.{{Cite news |newspaper=The Guardian |language=en-GB |date=28 May 2023 |accessdate=29 May 2023 |title=EU to step up support for Moldova at summit in face of threat from Russia |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/may/28/eu-steps-up-support-moldova-leaders-due-attend-summit |last=O'Carroll |first=Lisa |archive-date=29 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529022308/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/may/28/eu-steps-up-support-moldova-leaders-due-attend-summit |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/moldova-press-remarks-high-representativevice-president-josep-borrell-handover-epf-financed_en?s=410318|title=Moldova: Press remarks by the High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell at the handover of EPF financed equipment | EEAS|publisher=Europa (web portal)|access-date=1 June 2023 |archive-date=1 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601134001/https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/moldova-press-remarks-high-representativevice-president-josep-borrell-handover-epf-financed_en?s=410318|url-status=live}}
Reception
=Positive=
German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz said that community could mediate "regular exchanges at the political level" once or twice a year to discuss issues affecting the continent.{{Cite web|last=Fella|first=Stefano|date=6 October 2022|title=What is the European Political Community?|url=https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/what-is-the-european-political-community/|website=House of Commons Library - UK Parliament|access-date=27 January 2023 |archive-date=7 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221007065346/https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/what-is-the-european-political-community/|url-status=live}} Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, and Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, supported Macron's proposal in an opinion piece published by Politico on 5 October 2022. They argued that Europe needed a platform that did not overlap with existing regional organisations or displace processes of European Union membership.{{Cite web|last1=Rama|first1=Edi|last2=Rutte|first2=Mark|date=5 October 2022|title=Albanian and Dutch PMs: The European Political Community is a good idea|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/albanian-and-dutch-pms-the-european-political-community-is-a-good-idea/|website=Politico|language=en-US|access-date=10 January 2023|archive-date=10 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110120939/https://www.politico.eu/article/albanian-and-dutch-pms-the-european-political-community-is-a-good-idea/|url-status=live}} In a command paper presented to parliament in March 2023, the UK government stated that it supports the aims of the EPC and sees it as a "notable and welcome new forum for continent-wide cooperation".{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/integrated-review-refresh-2023-responding-to-a-more-contested-and-volatile-world/integrated-review-refresh-2023-responding-to-a-more-contested-and-volatile-world|title=Integrated Review Refresh 2023: Responding to a more contested and volatile world|website=GOV.UK|access-date=20 March 2023 |archive-date=20 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230320152713/https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/integrated-review-refresh-2023-responding-to-a-more-contested-and-volatile-world/integrated-review-refresh-2023-responding-to-a-more-contested-and-volatile-world|url-status=live}} The Consultative Committee of the European Economic Area welcomed the formation of the EPC and considers it to be a good arena for the discussion of talks and discussions related to maintaining peace and stability across the continent.{{cite web|url=https://www.eesc.europa.eu/sites/default/files/files/resolution_and_report_on_future_cooperation_of_the_european_political_community.pdf|title=Future cooperation of the European Political Community|publisher=Europa (web portal)|access-date=4 April 2023|date=29 March 2023|archive-date=30 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330093443/https://www.eesc.europa.eu/sites/default/files/files/resolution_and_report_on_future_cooperation_of_the_european_political_community.pdf|url-status=live}}
=Negative=
According to the Associated Press, critics claimed the EPC was an attempt to put the brakes on the potential enlargement of the European Union, speculating that "it may become a talking shop, perhaps convening once or twice a year but devoid of any real clout or content". Additionally, the first summit did not include a formal declaration, nor was any offer of EU money or programs proposed at the time. A spokesperson for the Council of Europe, in response to the summit, stated, "In the field of human rights, democracy and the rule of law, such a pan-European community already exists: it is the Council of Europe." However, in July 2024, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović Burić, did attend the 4th European Political Community Summit in the United Kingdom. {{Cite web|url=https://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/-/secretary-general-at-european-political-community-meeting%C2%A0|title=Secretary General at European Political Community Meeting|website=Council of Europe|date=18 July 2024}} Russia criticised the EPC as "yet another attempt by Brussels to build an anti-Russian coalition and prevail upon other countries to join the campaign of sanctions against Russia."{{Cite web|url=https://ipeclub.co/european-political-community-summit-kicks-off-in-moldovas-capital/|title=European Political Community summit kicks off in Moldova's capital|work=IPE Club |date=1 June 2023|access-date=1 June 2023 |archive-date=1 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601111105/https://ipeclub.co/european-political-community-summit-kicks-off-in-moldovas-capital/|url-status=live}}
See also
{{Portal|Europe|European Union|Politics}}
Notes
{{notelist
| notes =
{{efn
| name = status
| Country is not recognised by every participant.
}}
}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://epc-observatory.info/ European Political Community Observatory]
- [https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/politique-etrangere-de-la-france/la-france-et-l-europe/la-communaute-politique-europeenne/ European Political Community - Department of European and Foreign Affairs, Government of France] (in French)
=Summits=
- [https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/international-summit/2022/10/06/ 1st Summit of the European Political Community, 6 October 2022]
- [https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/international-summit/2023/06/01/ 2nd Summit of the European Political Community, 1 June 2023]
- [https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/international-summit/2023/10/05/ 3rd Summit of the European Political Community, 5 October 2023]
- [https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/international-summit/2024/07/18/ 4th Summit of the European Political Community, 18 July 2024]
- [https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/international-summit/2024/11/07/ 5th Summit of the European Political Community, 7 November 2024]
- [https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/international-summit/2025/05/16/ 6th Summit of the European Political Community, 16 May 2025]
{{European Political Community|state=expanded}}
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