European Political Community

Add links
From English Wikipedia @ Freddythechick

Not to be confused with European Political Co-operation, the European Political Community (1952) or the Council of Europe.

European Political Community
Logo of European Political Community
Logo
  Participating states
TypeIntergovernmental organisation
Membership47 participating states
Leaders
• Incoming host
 Hungary
• Outgoing host
 United Kingdom
• Future hosts
 Albania
 Denmark
Establishment
• Initial proposal
9 May 2022
• Agreed at European Council
24 June 2022
6 October 2022
Website
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 (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,[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 European Political Community has been interpreted by academics as a response to the invasion of Ukraine but also an attempt at rapprochement between member states of the European Union and the United Kingdom and a reflection of the limits of the European Union to own or fulfil the objectives of European integration and pro-Europeanism, particularly regarding geopolitics.[15]

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.[16][17]

The European Political Community aims at:[18]

  • 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.[19][20]

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.[21] Each summit is primarily organised by the hosting country.[1] Initially, the incoming host, outgoing host and future host constituted a hosting trio to coordinate organising summits and the setting agendas.[22][23][24] This was expanded to a quartet following the fourth summit in July 2024.[25]

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 country for the next summit.[26]

The invitation letter for the first summit was signed by European Council President Charles Michel.[27] For the second summit, invitation letters were jointly signed by Charles Michel and Maia Sandu, the president of the hosting country.[28]

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.[29][30]

Symbols

Wordmark used at the first summit

A wordmark consisting of the English language name of the community in blue capital letters was used at the first summit in October 2022.[31] A logo consisting of the abbreviation "EPC" in blue on a white background was adopted in the lead up to the second summit.[32]

As a condition for the United Kingdom's participation, then prime minister Liz Truss insisted that the European Political Community should not use symbols associated with the European Union such as the European Flag or the European Anthem.[33][34][35][36]

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][37] The first one 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.[38] The event was covered live by the Eurovision network.[39]

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.[9][40]

In May 2023, Switzerland expressed an interest in hosting an EPC summit in spring 2025.[41] Serbia has also expressed an interest in hosting a future summit.[42] During the closing press conference of the 4th summit, British prime minister, Keir Starmer, confirmed that the next summit will take place in Hungary followed by summits in Albania and Denmark in 2025.[43]

Overview of European Political Community summits
Date Logo Host country Host city Chair Countries attending
6 October 2022  Czech Republic Prague Castle, Prague Petr Fiala 44
1 June 2023 File:2nd European Political Community Summit logo.png  Moldova Mimi Castle, Bulboaca Maia Sandu 45
5 October 2023  Spain[3] Alhambra, Granada[44] Pedro Sánchez 45[45][46]
18 July 2024[47] File:4th European Political Community Summit logo.png  United Kingdom[3] Blenheim Palace, Woodstock Keir Starmer 43[48]
7 November 2024[49]  Hungary Budapest TBA
Spring 2025  Albania[50] Tirana[51] TBA
Autumn 2025  Denmark TBA TBA

Participants

<imagemap> File:Supranational European Bodies-en.svg|none|400px

rect 60 15 435 50 European Political Community rect 45 70 230 100 Schengen Area rect 755 65 980 95 Council of Europe rect 155 190 355 220 European Union rect 55 545 115 575 European Economic Area rect 165 610 290 635 Eurozone rect 165 705 400 735 European Union Customs Union

rect 50 365 125 395 European Free Trade Association rect 225 300 325 355 Nordic Council rect 355 300 475 360 Visegrád Group rect 190 430 390 460 Baltic Assembly rect 235 540 345 565 Benelux

rect 805 145 895 175 GUAM Organization for Democracy and Economic Development rect 1005 245 1095 275 Central European Free Trade Agreement rect 1110 120 1190 150 Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation rect 1110 420 1190 475 Union State rect 830 495 980 555 Common Travel Area rect 750 685 1005 740 International status and usage of the euro#Sovereign states

rect 70 120 130 170 Switzerland rect 70 180 130 230 Liechtenstein rect 70 240 130 290 Iceland rect 70 300 130 350 Norway

rect 165 240 225 290 Sweden rect 265 240 325 290 Denmark rect 165 300 225 350 Finland

rect 365 240 425 290 Poland rect 435 240 495 290 Czech Republic rect 505 240 565 290 Hungary rect 505 300 565 350 Slovakia

rect 590 180 650 230 Bulgaria rect 590 240 650 290 Romania rect 590 300 650 350 Greece

rect 200 365 260 415 Estonia rect 270 365 330 415 Latvia rect 340 365 400 415 Lithuania

rect 200 470 260 520 Belgium rect 270 470 330 520 Netherlands rect 340 470 400 520 Luxembourg

rect 440 385 500 430 Italy rect 440 440 500 490 France rect 440 500 500 550 Spain rect 505 385 565 430 Austria rect 505 440 565 490 Germany rect 505 500 565 550 Portugal rect 570 440 630 490 Slovenia rect 570 500 630 550 Malta

rect 505 580 565 635 Croatia

rect 670 385 730 430 Cyprus rect 670 500 730 550 Republic of Ireland rect 765 500 825 550 United Kingdom

rect 670 120 730 170 Turkey

rect 540 690 600 740 Monaco rect 605 690 665 740 Andorra rect 670 690 730 740 San Marino rect 1120 690 1180 740 Vatican City

rect 780 180 840 230 Georgia (country) rect 780 240 840 290 Ukraine rect 860 180 920 230 Azerbaijan rect 860 240 920 290 Moldova

rect 860 360 920 410 Bosnia and Herzegovina rect 935 180 995 230 Armenia rect 935 360 995 410 Montenegro

rect 860 300 920 350 North Macedonia rect 935 310 995 360 Albania rect 935 240 995 290 Serbia

rect 1025 370 1085 420 Kosovo

rect 1120 300 1180 350 Russia rect 1120 360 1180 410 Belarus

</imagemap>
An Euler diagram 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][52][32]

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.[53] 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.[54] At the summit, the UK agreed to re-engage with the North Seas Energy Cooperation (NSEC)[55][56][57] and committed to joining the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) and its Military Mobility programme.[58][59][60]

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.[61][62]

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.[63] 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.[64] 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".[65] 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.[66]

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] 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. [67] 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."[68]

See also

Lua error in mw.title.lua at line 346: bad argument #2 to 'title.new' (unrecognized namespace name 'Portal').

Notes

  1. ^ 1.0 1.1 Country is not recognised by every participant.

References

  1. ^ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 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. ^ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "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. ^ 7.0 7.1 "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 français). 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. ^ 9.0 9.1 9.2 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. ^ @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. ^ Dennison, James (3 July 2024). "The promise and meaning of the European Political Community after the 2024 EU and UK elections". LSE. Archived from the original on 3 July 2024. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  16. ^ 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.
  17. ^ "European political community" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 31 January 2023. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  18. ^ "IATE Term of the Week: European Political Community". 28 October 2022. Archived from the original on 9 February 2023. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
  19. ^ "UK-France Joint Leaders' Declaration". GOV.UK. Archived from the original on 11 March 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  20. ^ "Déclaration conjointe – 36ème Sommet franco-britannique". elysee.fr. 10 March 2023. Archived from the original on 11 March 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  21. ^ 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.
  22. ^ "Bringing the greater European family together — Brussels Institute for Geopolitics". big-europe.eu. May 2023. Archived from the original on 29 May 2023. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
  23. ^ Droin, Mathieu; Toygür, Ilke (26 May 2023). "The Chisinau Summit: A Litmus Test for Moldova and the EPC". csis.org. Archived from the original on 29 May 2023. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
  24. ^ 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.
  25. ^ "Summits".
  26. ^ "Chargée/chargé de mission communauté politique européenne". Place de l'emploi public.
  27. ^ "First meeting of the European Political Community" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 January 2023. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  28. ^ "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.
  29. ^ "Meeting of the European Political Community, 6 October 2022". Europa (web portal). Archived from the original on 28 October 2022. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  30. ^ "Council of EU - Newsroom". Europa (web portal). Archived from the original on 13 October 2022. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
  31. ^ "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.
  32. ^ 32.0 32.1 "Home page | European Political Community Summit". epcsummit2023.md. Archived from the original on 28 April 2023. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  33. ^ "As the European Political Community meets again, its role starts to take shape - EU Reporter".
  34. ^ "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.
  35. ^ 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.
  36. ^ 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.
  37. ^ "European Political Community: From family photo to 'strategic intimacy'". Jacques Delors Centre.
  38. ^ "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.
  39. ^ "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.
  40. ^ 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.
  41. ^ "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.
  42. ^ "Вучич предложил Белград как площадку для саммита Европейского политического сообщества". TASS. Archived from the original on 1 June 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  43. ^ "PM's press conference remarks at the European Political Community summit: 18 July 2024". GOV.UK. 18 July 2024.
  44. ^ "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.
  45. ^ "Blow to European leaders' summit as Azerbaijan, Turkey are no-shows". euronews. 5 October 2023. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  46. ^ "Europe security summit: Ukraine calls for continued support – DW – 10/05/2023". Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  47. ^ "UK to host European Political Community meeting in July 2024 at Blenheim Palace". GOV.UK. 19 March 2024. Archived from the original on 19 March 2024. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  48. ^ "Meeting of the European Political Community - Consilium".
  49. ^ "Meeting of the European Political Community - Consilium".
  50. ^ "Albania to host European Political Community summit for the first time in 2025 - Politics".
  51. ^ "x.com".
  52. ^ "European Political Community". Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Archived from the original on 12 October 2022. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  53. ^ "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.
  54. ^ "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.
  55. ^ 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.
  56. ^ "The North Seas Energy Cooperation". European Commission. Archived from the original on 28 March 2023. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
  57. ^ "UK signs agreement on offshore renewable energy cooperation". GOV.UK. Archived from the original on 25 March 2023. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
  58. ^ "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.
  59. ^ 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.
  60. ^ "The European Political Community in a Global Context". ICDS. 10 January 2023. Archived from the original on 6 February 2023. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
  61. ^ 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.
  62. ^ "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.
  63. ^ 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.
  64. ^ 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.
  65. ^ "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.
  66. ^ "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.
  67. ^ "Secretary General at European Political Community Meeting - Portal".
  68. ^ "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.

External links

Summits
Retrieved from "https://enwiki.freddythechick.net/index.php?title=European_Political_Community&oldid=469376"