European Political Community
Logo of European Political Community
Logo
  Participating states
TypeIntergovernmental organisation
Membership47 participating states
Leaders
• Incoming host
 United Kingdom
• Outgoing host
 Spain
Establishment
• Initial proposal
9 May 2022
• Agreed at European Council
24 June 2022
6 October 2022
Website
https://epc-observatory.info/

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.[1][2] 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.[3] It is distinct from both the European Union (which is a participant) and the Council of Europe.

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,[4] 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".[5] On 23–24 June 2022, formation of the community was agreed to at a meeting of the European Council.[6][7] On 29 September 2022, the United Kingdom announced that it would participate in the community.[8] 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.[9] In January 2023, it was confirmed that San Marino had joined the community becoming its 45th participating state.[10][11] The heads of government of Andorra and Monaco were also invited to the second summit bringing the number of participants up to 47.[12][13]

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.[14]

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,[7] in particular in regard to the European energy crisis.[15][16]

The European Political Community aims at:[17]

  • 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.[18][19]

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.[20] Each summit is primarily organised by the hosting country.[1] The incoming host, outgoing host and future host constitute a "Hosting Trio" to coordinate organising summits and the setting agendas.[21][22][23]

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. The task force is to be based in Paris with a presence in the host city for the next summit.[24]

The invitation letter for the first summit was signed by European Council President Charles Michel.[25] For the second summit, invitation letters were jointly signed by Charles Michel and Maia Sandu, the president of the hosting country.[26]

An official website, Twitter account and Facebook account for the second summit were launched in late April 2023.[27] 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.[28][29]

Symbols

Interim logo used at the first summit

At the request of the government of the United Kingdom, the European Political Community does not use symbols associated with the European Union such as the European Flag or the European Anthem.[30][31][32][33] At the first summit in October 2022, a wordmark consisting of the English language name of the community in blue capital letters was used.[34] A new logo was adopted in the lead up to the second summit, consisting of the abbreviation "EPC" in blue on a white background.[35]

Summits

European leaders at the 1st EPC Summit in the Czech Republic
European leaders at the 2nd EPC Summit in Moldova

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.[1][36] The first summit took place in Prague on 6 October 2022.[37] The event was covered live by the Eurovision network.[38]

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.[9][39]

In May 2023, Switzerland expressed an interest in hosting an EPC summit in spring 2025.[40] Serbia has also expressed an interest in hosting a future summit.[41]

Overview of European Political Community summits
Date Logo Host country Host city Chair Countries attending
6 October 2022  Czech RepublicPrague Castle, PraguePetr Fiala44
1 June 2023  MoldovaMimi Castle, BulboacaMaia Sandu45
5 October 2023  Spain[3]Alhambra, Granada[42]Pedro Sánchez45[43][44]
TBA  United Kingdom[3]TBATBATBA

Participants

A clickable Euler diagram[file] showing the relationships between various multinational European organisations and agreements

The countries and international organisations participating in the European Political Community are as follows:[1][45][35]

Countries participating
Organisations participating
European countries not participating
European countries not invited

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.[46] 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.[47] At the summit, the UK agreed to re-engage with the North Seas Energy Cooperation (NSEC)[48][49][50] and committed to joining the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) and its Military Mobility programme.[51][52][53]

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.[54][55]

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.[56] 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.[57] 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".[58] 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.[59]

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."[9] 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."[60]

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 Country is not recognised by every participant.
  2. ↑ Kazakhstan is partially located in Europe despite not having strong ties with European supranational political organisations.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Tidey, Alice (5 October 2022). "What we know and don't know about the new European Political Community". euronews. Archived from the original on 18 October 2022. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  2. ↑ "EPC Observatory – Think Tank Forum in Granada". CEPS. 28 September 2023. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 "Meeting of the European Political Community, 6 October 2022". Europa (web portal). 6 October 2022. Archived from the original on 28 October 2022. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  4. ↑ Brzozowski, Alexandra; Basso, Davide; Vasques, Eleonora (9 May 2022). "Macron teases alternative to EU enlargement". euractiv.com. Archived from the original on 10 May 2022. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  5. ↑ Stratulat, Corina (3 October 2022). "The beginning of the European Political Community". European Policy Centre. Archived from the original on 28 January 2023.
  6. ↑ "European Council conclusions on Wider Europe and the Conference on the Future of Europe, 23 June 2022". Europa (web portal). Archived from the original on 26 January 2023. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  7. 1 2 "Conclusions du Conseil européen, 23 et 24 juin 2022 - Présidence française du Conseil de l'Union européenne 2022". Présidence française du Conseil de l'Union européenne (in French). Archived from the original on 25 June 2022. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  8. ↑ "Brexit Britain wants to come back". Politico. 29 September 2022. Archived from the original on 29 September 2022. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  9. 1 2 3 Lorne Cook; Karel Janicek; Sylvie Corbet (6 October 2022). "Europe holds 44-leader summit, leaves Russia in the cold". Associated Press News. Archived from the original on 19 October 2022. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  10. 1 2 @MarosSefcovic (20 January 2023). "We're strengthening our partnerships with countries sharing the same values" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  11. ↑ "Remarks by Vice-President Šefčovič at the joint press conference with Minister Beccari Luca". European Commission - European Commission. Archived from the original on 30 January 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  12. ↑ "Andorra se abre a estudiar los efectos de un 'no' al acuerdo de asociación con la UE". Europa Press. 3 March 2023. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
  13. ↑ "La Moldavie face au défi d'un sommet à 47 leaders". Les Echos. 16 March 2023. Archived from the original on 26 May 2023. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
  14. ↑ Tenzer, Sam Greene, Edward Lucas, Nicolas (23 May 2023). "The Road to Chişinău: The European Political Community". CEPA. Archived from the original on 24 May 2023. Retrieved 24 May 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  15. ↑ Cohen, Roger (6 October 2022). "Macron's New Europe Debuts in the Shadow of War". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 22 October 2022. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  16. ↑ "European political community" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 31 January 2023. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  17. ↑ "IATE Term of the Week: European Political Community". 28 October 2022. Archived from the original on 9 February 2023. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
  18. ↑ "UK-France Joint Leaders' Declaration". GOV.UK. Archived from the original on 11 March 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  19. ↑ "Déclaration conjointe – 36ème Sommet franco-britannique". elysee.fr. 10 March 2023. Archived from the original on 11 March 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  20. ↑ Wilkenfeld, Yoni (21 December 2022). "Europe's newest forum: Space for dialogue or photo opportunity?". Archived from the original on 21 January 2023. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
  21. ↑ "Bringing the greater European family together — Brussels Institute for Geopolitics". big-europe.eu. Archived from the original on 29 May 2023. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
  22. ↑ Droin, Mathieu; Toygür, Ilke (26 May 2023). "The Chisinau Summit: A Litmus Test for Moldova and the EPC". Archived from the original on 29 May 2023. Retrieved 29 May 2023 – via csis.org. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  23. ↑ Giuashvili, Teona (1 June 2023). The European political community: a forum in search of a role. European University Institute. doi:10.2870/828007. ISBN 9789294664105. Archived from the original on 30 May 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023 – via cadmus.eui.eu.
  24. ↑ "Chargée/chargé de mission communauté politique européenne". Place de l'emploi public.
  25. ↑ "First meeting of the European Political Community" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 January 2023. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  26. ↑ "Cea de-a doua reuniune a Comunității Politice Europene va avea loc pe 1 iunie 2023, la Chișinău — Președinția Republicii Moldova". Archived from the original on 19 January 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  27. ↑ "| Ministerul Afacerilor Externe şi Integrării Europene al Republicii Moldova". mfa.gov.md. Archived from the original on 2 May 2023. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  28. ↑ "Meeting of the European Political Community, 6 October 2022". Europa (web portal). Archived from the original on 28 October 2022. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  29. ↑ "Council of EU - Newsroom". Europa (web portal). Archived from the original on 13 October 2022. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
  30. ↑ "As the European Political Community meets again, its role starts to take shape - EU Reporter".
  31. ↑ "Liz Truss 'demanded no EU flags' at Prague European summit". The Independent. 7 October 2022. Archived from the original on 25 January 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  32. ↑ Cooke, Millie (7 October 2022). "UK demanded no EU flags at European Community meeting in Prague". Daily Express. Archived from the original on 25 January 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  33. ↑ Zachová, Aneta; Michalopoulos, Sarantis (7 October 2022). "UK demanded no EU flags at Prague gathering". euractiv.com. Archived from the original on 18 December 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  34. ↑ "New European Political Community Forum Holds Inaugural Meeting in Prague". VOA. 6 October 2022. Archived from the original on 25 January 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  35. 1 2 "Home page | European Political Community Summit". epcsummit2023.md. Archived from the original on 28 April 2023. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  36. ↑ "European Political Community: From family photo to 'strategic intimacy'". Jacques Delors Centre.
  37. ↑ "Informal meeting of heads of state or government, Prague, 6 October 2022". Europa (web portal). Archived from the original on 7 July 2022. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  38. ↑ "Eurovision Services: Informal EU 27 Summit and Leaders Meeting within the European Political Community". eurovision.net. 10 July 2022. Archived from the original on 8 September 2022. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  39. ↑ Sam Greene; Edward Lucas; Nicolas Tenzer (23 May 2023). "The Road to Chişinău: The European Political Community". Center for European Policy Analysis. Archived from the original on 24 May 2023. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  40. ↑ "La Suisse veut accueillir un sommet de la Communauté politique européenne". 29 May 2023. Archived from the original on 29 May 2023. Retrieved 29 May 2023 – via letemps.ch.
  41. ↑ "Вучич предложил Белград как площадку для саммита Европейского политического сообщества". TASS. Archived from the original on 1 June 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  42. ↑ "Granada será 'capital de Europa' con dos cumbres los días 5 y 6 de octubre". Ideal. 11 February 2023. Archived from the original on 17 March 2023. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  43. ↑ "Blow to European leaders' summit as Azerbaijan, Turkey are no-shows". euronews. 5 October 2023. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  44. ↑ "Europe security summit: Ukraine calls for continued support – DW – 10/05/2023". Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  45. ↑ "European Political Community". Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Archived from the original on 12 October 2022. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  46. ↑ "Leaders Of Armenia, Azerbaijan Agree To Civilian EU Mission Along Border". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. Archived from the original on 28 October 2022. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  47. ↑ "European leaders giddy with new forum — as long as they overlook lingering tension". 6 October 2022. Archived from the original on 26 March 2023. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
  48. ↑ Delevic, Milica (16 December 2022). "Friends with benefits: How the European Political Community can further European integration – European Council on Foreign Relations". Archived from the original on 7 February 2023. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
  49. ↑ "The North Seas Energy Cooperation". European Commission. Archived from the original on 28 March 2023. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
  50. ↑ "UK signs agreement on offshore renewable energy cooperation". GOV.UK. Archived from the original on 25 March 2023. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
  51. ↑ "UK-Europe relations finally head in the right direction". Chatham House – International Affairs Think Tank. 24 January 2023. Archived from the original on 27 January 2023. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  52. ↑ Turner, Christian (14 October 2022). "The European Political Community is born – now what?". UK in a changing Europe. Archived from the original on 2 April 2023. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
  53. ↑ "The European Political Community in a Global Context". ICDS. 10 January 2023. Archived from the original on 6 February 2023. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
  54. ↑ O'Carroll, Lisa (28 May 2023). "EU to step up support for Moldova at summit in face of threat from Russia". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 29 May 2023. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
  55. ↑ "Moldova: Press remarks by the High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell at the handover of EPF financed equipment | EEAS". Europa (web portal). Archived from the original on 1 June 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  56. ↑ Fella, Stefano (6 October 2022). "What is the European Political Community?". House of Commons Library - UK Parliament. Archived from the original on 7 October 2022. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  57. ↑ Rama, Edi; Rutte, Mark (5 October 2022). "Albanian and Dutch PMs: The European Political Community is a good idea". Politico. Archived from the original on 10 January 2023. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  58. ↑ "Integrated Review Refresh 2023: Responding to a more contested and volatile world". GOV.UK. Archived from the original on 20 March 2023. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  59. ↑ "Future cooperation of the European Political Community" (PDF). Europa (web portal). 29 March 2023. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 March 2023. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  60. ↑ "European Political Community summit kicks off in Moldova's capital". 1 June 2023. Archived from the original on 1 June 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
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