The idea of creating a European Political Community (EPC) was launched by the French president, Emmanuel Macronon May 9, coinciding with the europe day. European leaders endorsed the idea at the June summit and after several months of preparations this Thursday the official inauguration will take place with 44 heads of state and government of the European Union and neighboring countries to promote the political dialogue and cooperation in a geopolitical context that is very complicated by the russian war.
Prague plays host
The official launch of this dialogue forum takes place in Prague Castleunder the six-monthly presidency of the EU held until December by the Czech Republic and which is hosting the event on the eve of a new informal summit of EU heads of state and government that takes place on Friday.
Heads of State and Government of 44 countries
The meeting is attended by the heads of State and Government of 44 countries, the 27 of the European Union plus 17 neighboring countries among which are Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Iceland, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine and the United Kingdom. The only two countries not invited are Russia and Belarus. The Danish Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, will not attend the appointment due to the inauguration of the parliamentary course. The Ukrainian president, Volodimir Zelenski, will participate by videoconference, although Prime Minister Denys Schyhal will attend the meeting in person. Both British Prime Minister Liz Truss and Turkey’s Tayyip Erdogan made themselves wait but will also be present at the meeting.
Platform to coordinate the 27 with their neighbors
The idea is that become a platform for political coordination between the EU and neighboring countries. Its objective is to promote political dialogue and cooperation on issues of common interest to strengthen the security, stability and prosperity of the European continent. In any case, according to the Czech presidency of the EU, which is hosting it, it will not replace any existing organization, structure or process. “The goal is to bring leaders together on an equal footing and foster political dialogue and cooperation on issues of common interest so that together we work to strengthen the security, stability and prosperity of Europe as a whole,” said the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, in his letter of invitation.
Meetings at least once a year
The meeting will start with a plenary session at 1:00 pm that will last for one hour and in which the Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala will intervene on behalf of the EU. Subsequently, the leaders will have time to organize bilateral meetings and will be invited to participate in round tables on peace and security as well as the economic and energy situation, although it is not ruled out that other issues such as immigration will be addressed. In any case, no conclusions are expected from the meeting, although there is a commitment to establish the aspect that the meetings are held at least once or twice a year, once in the EU and another in a neighboring country. The next one could be held in Moldova, although the United Kingdom has also advanced its willingness to host a future meeting.