The inaugural Summit of the European Political Community (EPC) was held in Prague on October 6, 2022. EPC was formed in June 2022, in the backdrop of the Ukraine-Russia conflict, an idea first proposed by French President Emmanuel Macron. The Summit was attended by leaders of 44 nations across the European continent[i]. It included 27 members of the European Union (EU) and 17 other nations, including the Balkans and the Eastern European countries aspiring for EU’s membership[ii]. However, President Macron has stressed that EPC is not an alternative to accession in the EU[iii].
EPC’s significance
EPC has been formed to foster greater political and strategic discussions about the future of Europe amidst rapidly changing geo-political dynamics[iv]. EPC aims to provide a diverse yet inclusive platform across Europe. The first Summit of the EPC was convened to address issues affecting Europe’s stability and security. Two major issues dominated the Summit's agenda – (a) peace and security and (b) the energy crisis[v]. This new group of nations emphasised on, adhering to common values and shared interests.
The fallout from the conflict in Ukraine has had an impact on all European countries and not just the EU. The purpose of bringing the non-EU states and aspiring EU members into EPC is a way in which EU hopes to address their concerns. With that, EPC puts forward an enabling platform for “more dialogue, more listening and more mutual understanding”, as said by European Council President Charles Michel.
Key takeaways from the Prague Summit
First, the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict formed a major part of the discussions at the EPC Summit. The countries committed to intensifying support for Ukraine and underlined Moscow’s complete isolation[vi]. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who was virtually present at the Summit, urged the countries to turn EPC into the “European Community of Peace”[vii] where collective efforts would lead to peace building. The Summit provided space for greater dialogue and discussions among the Member States. However, no concrete decisions were taken at the Summit. The extent of EPC’s decision-making powers remains uncertain, oscillating between being a “discussion club” or a “community of action”[viii].
Second, the Summit hosted some politically and culturally rival countries. For instance, Azerbaijan and Armenia were invited by Emmanuel Macron and Charles Michel to participate in a quadrilateral meeting on the margins of the Summit. Both countries have been engaged in an ethnic and territorial conflict over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. Greece and Turkey, who have been in a longstanding dispute over the Aegean Sea, were also invited to the inaugural Summit. Amidst this, there are doubts about maintaining the unity of the EPC. With such diversity, the smooth functioning of the EPC will continue to remain a challenge. However, French officials have negated these claims citing examples of other international groupings like the G20, which are diverse yet successful in addressing global challenges.
Third, the EPC Summit prioritised certain critical areas for collective action; Energy being one of them. Europe is currently reeling under the energy crisis resulting from the Ukrainian conflict, following the disruption of the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines. The EPC discussions revolved around imposing a price cap on gas imports and transactions[ix], negotiating with suppliers like the United States and Norway and looking for alternative gas pipelines across Europe[x]. However, the energy discussions witnessed difference of opinion. Germany’s decision to borrow 200 billion Euros through the Economic Stabilisation Fund[xi], to cap gas prices, has been criticised by other EU countries, as they fear it might create a rift between wealthy and other European countries[xii]. Unilateral decisions within multilateral spaces (like the EU) have always garnered potential concerns about the functioning and unity of the grouping.
Fourth, EPC’s first Summit successfully presented a picture of a ‘united Europe’ to the world. Belarus and Russia, the two allied partners in the Ukrainian conflict, were just not uninvited but rather, unanimously isolated by the forum. Additionally, having United Kingdom (UK), a former EU country, on board signified the greater intent of keeping Europe united amidst the crisis. Subsequently, the Summit also provided for a détente between the then UK PM Liz Truss and Macron, with Liz stating that UK considers France as its friend and not a foe[xiii]. This came against the backdrop of rising tensions between UK and France on multiple issues like immigration, Brexit issues relating to Northern Ireland etc. In its maiden attempt, EPC has been successful in strongly pitching its first united move.
The future of EPC: Concerns and Criticisms
The first day of the EPC Summit was followed by an informal meeting of the EU Heads of State/Government on 7th October in Prague. The main agenda for the meeting was to discuss the Ukraine-Russia conflict and its impact on the EU’s economy[xiv]. In his speech on 7th October, Charles Michel reiterated the significance of EPC as a flexible platform for member nations “to act in the most efficient way possible”. Against this backdrop, certain claims have emerged questioning whether EPC will always require the EU as its backbone. Undoubtedly, the EU is likely to provide significant hand-holding at EPC’s nascent stage, but it shall be too soon to predict the functioning of EPC in the long run, considering it is still in its experimental stage.
EPC projects itself as a platform that caters to the pan-European needs and concerns. However, the larger objective of EPC seems to be countering the influence of China and Russia in the South Eastern, Eastern and Central European regions. EU fears that the countries in the region might drift away towards China-Russia led bloc, which might have potential consequences for the EU. Amidst the Ukrainian conflict, such fears have become even more pronounced. In this backdrop, EPC’s actions, policy frameworks and decisions can have a huge impact on the geopolitics of the region.
With all the unity, strength and solidarity showcased at the Prague Summit, there exists various other domains of EPC which are yet not clear. For instance, the functioning and structure of EPC constitute a significant concern. EPC’s membership, relevance, decision-making and budgeting[xv] are not yet unfolded. The fear of EPC being formed to relieve Brussels from the pressure of EU enlargement still exists. With no clear agenda and long-term goals, certain critical questions have emerged regarding EPC’s existence. Is EPC a way of reaching out to non-EU countries without including them within the EU? Is EPC a short-term grouping of countries that might wither away once the conflict and crisis disappear? Are EPC Summits meant to alternate between EU and non-EU countries? How relevant is EPC in tackling and resolving the real challenges confronting Europe? Many such questions need answers in the wake of rising scepticism surrounding EPC. However, outlining clear goals, objectives and agenda, should remain a key priority for the EPC.
In being the first of its kind, EPC Summit involved all 44 member nations on an equal footing. It created a space for greater dialogue by providing an informal platform which is not bound by stringent procedural rules and regulations like the EU. However, its efficacy, functioning and long-term impact on global geopolitics are yet to be seen. Meanwhile, there are plans to have biannual meetings of the EPC, with Moldova holding the next Summit in 2023.
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*Dr. Monika Gupta is a Research Fellow at ICWA, New Delhi.
Disclaimer: Views expressed are personal.
Endnotes
[i] European Council, International Summit, “Meeting of the European Political Community, 6 October 2022”, https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/international-summit/2022/10/06/, accessed 7th October 2022.
[ii] Euro News, “European Political Community: Europe hails united stand over Russia’s war in Ukraine”, https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2022/10/06/european-political-community-european-leaders-gather-to-discuss-new-club-of-nations, accessed 8th October 2022.
[iii] Wilson Center, “Macron’s European Political Community” risks two-tiered European Union”, https://www.wilsoncenter.org/article/macrons-european-political-community-risks-two-tiered-european-union, accessed 9th October 2022.
[iv] Euro News, “European Political Community: What we know and don’t know about the new club of nations”,https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2022/10/05/what-we-know-and-dont-know-about-the-european-political-community, accessed 8th October 2022.
[v] European Council, International Summit, “Meeting of the European Political Community, 6 October 2022”, https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/international-summit/2022/10/06/, accessed 7th October 2022.
[vi] Reuters (7 October 2022), “Europe’s new 44-nation club underlines Russia’s isolation”, https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/big-question-new-european-clubs-first-summit-what-is-it-2022-10-06/, accessed 7th October 2022.
[vii] ibid.
[viii] SWP (17 October 2022), “European Summit in Prague sets Agenda and isolates Moscow”, https://www.swp-berlin.org/en/publication/european-summit-in-prague-sets-agenda-and-isolates-moscow, accessed 18th October 2022.
[ix] Reuters (5 October 2022), “EU assessing various types of gas price cap, energy chief says”, https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/eu-considering-flexibile-gas-price-cap-energy-chief-says-2022-10-04/, accessed 7th October 2022.
[x] Tim Stickings (2022), “EU leaves door open to gas price cap after talks on energy crisis”, The National News, 7 October 2022, https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/europe/2022/10/07/europes-leaders-to-thrash-out-route-out-of-energy-crisis-at-eu-summit/, accessed 7th October 2022.
[xi]Economic Stabilisation Fund (ESF) was originally created to help German economy deal with the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic. ESF is not part of the Germany’s regular Federal budget.
[xii] Politico (29 September 2022), “Germany introduces Euros 200B gas price cap to counter Russia’s energy war”, https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-set-to-introduce-gas-price-cap/, accessed 7th October 2022.
[xiii] EuroNews (6 October 2022), “Macron and Truss kiss and make up in Prague after ‘friend or foe’ row”, https://www.euronews.com/2022/10/06/macron-is-a-friend-of-britain-says-truss-in-bid-to-turn-page-on-jurys-out-remark, accessed 9th October 2022.
[xiv] European Council, “Informal meeting of the Heads of State or Government, Prague, 7 October 2022”, https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/european-council/2022/10/07/, accessed 8th October 2022.
[xv] Reuters (6 October 2022), “Factbox: Who is at the EPC Summit in Prague, and what are they discussing”, https://www.reuters.com/world/who-is-epc-summit-prague-what-are-they-discussing-2022-10-06/, accessed 9th October 2022.