LONDON – Forty-seven heads of state and government gathered today at the fourth meeting of the European Political Community (EPC). The leaders discussed continued support to Ukraine, as well as shared challenges such of energy and connectivity, security, democracy, and migration. Leaders of the Western Balkans also participated at the Summit.
The European Political Community, established in 2022, aims to foster political dialogue and cooperation to address issues of common interests, and strengthen the security, stability and prosperity of the European continent. This platform for political coordination, as was pointed out on multiple occasions, does not replace any existing organisation, structure or process, and does not aim to create new ones at this stage.
During the plenary session, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer saluted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for his efforts to uphold European values, adding that “we will stand with you for as long as it takes”. According to him, the threat from Russia reached right across Europe.
Starmer, who became Prime Minister less than two weeks ago, stressed that under his leadership, the UK will be a friend and partner to Europe, ready to work with European countries.
Ukrainian President thanked those who support Ukraine in its path to membership in the EU. “This proves that even in the most difficult of circumstance, the EU can keep its promises”, Zelensky said in the plenary session. He urged Europe’s leaders to show the collective will to take steps to help stop Russia’s aggression.
In addition to the plenary session, leaders discussed these topics in roundtables. One of the two roundtables, focused on defending and securing democracy, was co-chaired by President Charles Michel and Montenegrin President Jakov Milatović. This roundtable discussed how to address threats targeting European democracies, including disinformation and foreign information manipulation.
For the first time, representatives from NATO, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), and the Council of Europe attended the summit.
So far, the European Political Community has met three times. At the first summit in Prague, in October 2022, leaders mainly discussed peace and security issues, especially Russia’s war in Ukraine, and the energy crisis.
At the following summit in Moldova, in June 2023, they discussed joint efforts for peace and security, energy resilience and connectivity and mobility in Europe.
In Granada, in October 2023, leaders discussed how to make Europe more resilient, prosperous and geostrategic.
The next European Political Community meeting will take place in Hungary, current holder of the Presidency of the EU, on 7 November 2024.
The President of Montenegro, Jakov Milatović, met with the Prime Minister of Croatia, Andrej Plenković. “At the meeting with Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, I emphasized the importance of Croatia’s support for our EU path so far. Good neighborly relations and regional cooperation must be our priority,” Milatović stated.
The President of the Republic of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, met with Kaja Kalas, former Prime Minister of the Republic of Estonia and candidate for the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy during the European Political Community Summit.
“I reiterated Serbia’s commitment to continuing the European integration process and expressed the expectation that in the coming months we will be able to take new steps on the path to full EU membership,” Vučić wrote on Instagram.