The sixth meeting of the European Political Community (EPC) will be held on Friday 16 May in Tirana, Albania, under the main theme ‘New Europe in a New World: Unity – Cooperation – Joint Action’.
The main discussions will focus on the current security challenges facing Europe, in particular the war in Ukraine (see EUROPE 13520/9).
Co-hosted by the President of the European Council, António Costa, and the Albanian Prime Minister, Edi Rama, the event will bring together 47 leaders from across Europe. The EU will also be represented by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas.
This is the first EPC summit to be hosted and organised in the Western Balkans. The EPC’s ambition is to facilitate dialogue and cooperation between European leaders in order to address issues of common interest and to strengthen security, stability and prosperity on the continent (see EUROPE 13552/3).
“This is an informal setting. There are no political declarations, no negotiations, no approval of final documents. The EPC is really there to complement existing organisations and processes”, said a European source on Thursday 8 May.
The summit will include debates in plenary sessions, thematic round tables and time will be devoted to bilateral meetings. “The current complex geopolitical landscape only reinforces the need for these exchanges and dialogues between European leaders”, declared a senior European official.
The leaders will discuss European security issues, including support for Ukraine, European defence, the protection of democracy and preparedness and response to various threats.
A dialogue will also focus on improving the continent’s competitiveness. Mobility issues, including migration, the movement of workers and the mobility of young people, will also be discussed.
The summit is structured around three thematic round tables: securing Europe and strengthening democratic resilience; one Europe for 600 million citizens (competitiveness and security); and an open Europe with secure borders (mobility challenges).
The next EPC meeting will be held in Denmark in autumn 2025. The rotation is maintained between an EU member country and a non-EU country. “There is an effort to cover different regions and highlight different areas”, stressed a European source.
Link to the invitation letter from Mr Costa and Mr Rama: https://aeur.eu/f/gq5 (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)