2nd meeting of the “European Political Community” with more than 40 Heads of State and Government on 1 June 2023 in the Republic of Moldova – Objectives: To promote political dialogue and cooperation on important common issues and to strengthen security, stability and prosperity in Europe.
On June 1, 2023, the 2nd meeting of the “European Political Community” (abbreviated EPG; in English: “European Political Community”, abbreviated EPC) took place. Leaders from across Europe gathered at the invitation of President Maria Sandu and Council President Charles Michel at Mimi Castle, near the capital Chisinau, Moldova. Austria was represented by Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer.
What is the “European Political Community”, what objectives does it pursue, who participates in it? An overview in 5 questions and answers.
Which countries is the group of participants made up of?
Heads of State and Government from 47 countries were invited to the 2nd conference of the “European Political Community” on June 1, 2023:
- 27 EU Member States;
- Candidates for EU membership: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Moldova, Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine;
- Potential candidates for EU membership: Georgia, Kosovo;
- Other third countries: Andorra, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, were also present at the conference.
The meeting in Moldova followed a 1st meeting of the “European Political Community” on 6 October 2022 in the Czech capital Prague, which took place at the invitation of Prime Minister Petr Fiala. At that time, the Czech Republic held the Presidency of the Council of the EU. Heads of State and Government from 44 countries were invited to this first conference.
Meetings in this format take place regularly, once or twice a year. Meetings of the “European Political Community” will be organized successively by each participating country, with the seat alternating between an EU Member State and a non-EU State. The next meetings are scheduled to take place in Spain – which will assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union on July 1, 2023 – and in the United Kingdom.
What are the objectives of the “European Political Community”?
The “European Political Community” will contribute to:
- promote political dialogue and political cooperation to address issues of common interest,
- Strengthening security, stability and prosperity on the European continent.
“In light of the dramatic consequences of Russia’s war, which is affecting the countries of Europe on many fronts, we agreed to create the European political community to bring together the countries of the European continent and create a platform for political coordination,” a statement said. letter from the President of the Council, Charles Michel, on the eve of the first meeting in October 2022. According to Michel, the objective at this time was “to bring leaders together on an equal footing and to promote political dialogue and cooperation on issues of common interest, to that we can work together to strengthen the security, stability and prosperity of all of Europe”.
What matters does the “European Political Community” deal with?
Consultations at the second meeting of the “European Political Community” on June 1, 2023 at Mimi Castle in the village of Bulboaca, close to the border with Ukraine, included bilateral and multilateral negotiations, as well as the topics of security and peace, as well as such as power and connectivity.
On the agenda of the first conference on October 6, 2022, in addition to an opening and closing plenary session and bilateral talks, there were round tables on the themes of peace and security, economic situation, especially in the context of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine , energy and climate, and on migration and mobility. Concrete resolutions were not planned.
Does the “European Political Community” replace existing structures or institutions?
This policy coordination platform does not replace any existing organisations, structures or processes and does not intend to create new ones at this time. It does not replace the EU accession process. The “European Political Community” is open to all countries in Europe that share the values of the European Union.
By whose initiative does the “European Political Community” go back?
On May 9, 2022, French President Emmanuel Macron announced in a speech to the European Parliament in Strasbourg that, in the face of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, a new format would be created, based on the question: “How should Europe a political point of view and be organized outside the European Union?” This new European format to be created would allow “European democratic nations that cling to our base of values to find a new space for political cooperation, security, cooperation in the areas of energy, transport, infrastructure, passenger transport and above all of our youth,” Macron said. It is about “uniting our Europe as it exists geographically, based on its democratic values, with the desire to preserve the unity of our continent and to maintain the strength and ambition of our European integration”. In his speech, the French President also stated that, from his point of view, this means: “Joining this community does not necessarily have to lead to joining the European Union, just as it would not be closed to those who left the EU. “
Council President Charles Michel expressed his thoughts on a “European geopolitical community” in a speech to the European Economic and Social Committee on 18 May 2022.
Thus, at its meeting on 23 and 24 June 2022 in Brussels, the European Council addressed the proposal to create a “European Political Community” and held a strategic debate on the EU’s relations with its partners in Europe. The conclusions adopted at that meeting state that this “will provide a platform for policy coordination for European countries across the continent”. “All European countries with which we maintain close relations” could be addressed, thus the conclusions. And further: “Such a framework would not replace existing EU policies and instruments, including EU enlargement, and will fully respect the EU’s decision-making autonomy.”
Other information
- Summit of the European Political Community, official website of the June 1, 2023 meeting
- Meeting of the European Political Community, 1 June 2023, information on the European Council/Council of the EU website
- Photo gallery: Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer at the “European Political Community” summit, 1 June 2023
- EU-Republic of Moldova relations, information on the website of the Council of Europe/Council of the EU
- European Political Community meets for the first time in Prague to discuss energy and security, press release from the Czech EU Presidency 2022
- European Political Community meeting, 6 October 2022, Council of the EU/European Council website
- Informal meeting of heads of state and government in Prague, 7 October 2022, Council of the EU/Council of Europe website
- Letter of invitation from President Charles Michel to European Council members ahead of the 6-7 October 2022 Leaders’ Meetings, European Council press release
- Background: Informal European Council meeting, Prague, 7 October 2022, Council of the EU/Council of Europe website (PDF document)
- European Council (23-24 June 2022) – Conclusions, Council of the EU/European Council website (PDF document)
- Speech by President Charles Michel at the plenary session of the European Economic and Social Committee, European Council press release
- Speech by the French President at the Conference on the Future of Europe, Strasbourg, 9 May 2022, French EU Presidency 2022 website
- European Political Community, information on the Czech Presidency of the EU 2022 website