The Heads of State or Government of the EU Member States discussed the French proposal to launch a European Political Community (EPC) at a European Council meeting (see EUROPE 12978/1) on the night of Thursday 23 to Friday 24 June (see EUROPE 12972/9).
“We need to build something where we can cooperate on defence, geopolitics, energy, infrastructure, projects for the movement of people, very concrete things that make it possible to change people’s lives”, the French President, Emmanuel Macron, had said on Thursday 23 June, before the start of the talks between the Member States.
As a reminder, the French President had sketched out the idea of a European political community on 9 May in Strasbourg. This community, Macron suggested at the time, could be used to set a framework for relations between the European Union and non-member countries on the European continent, provided that common fundamental values are shared (see EUROPE 12948/3).
“All leaders recognised the value of a framework where leaders can discuss certain issues on a continental scale”, a diplomatic source told EUROPE. “The debate last night has, I believe, enabled us to clarify and build a very broad consensus on this issue”, confirmed Emmanuel Macron in the wake of the European Council.
According to the conclusions adopted by the Heads of State and Government of the Member States, the EPC could thus take the form of a political coordination platform for all countries with which the EU has “ close relations”.
“It is in essence important for the EU to try to connect with other countries. We have had preliminary discussions to see if there are any objections. Everyone says ‘OK’, but we’ll have to see how it works“, commented the Italian Prime Minister, Mario Draghi.
The objective would be to foster political dialogue and cooperation in order to “address issues of common interest”, the document states. This would, the Council conclusions argue, strengthen the continent’s “security, stability and prosperity”, against a background of rising geopolitical tensions and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“The result of our discussion could be something where the circle that meets in this Council also meets with other heads of government in Europe and discusses politically - not necessarily with decisions - the issues that concern us all”, said the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz.
This community would not replace existing policies and instruments, including enlargement. Several leaders had insisted on this point during the discussions.
A first meeting on the subject will take place in Prague in October, after the Czech Republic takes over the EU Council Presidency on 1 July 2022.
See the conclusions: https://aeur.eu/f/2bk (Original version in French by Thomas Mangin)