Brussels – The work of the European Political Community (EPC) continues. This informal forum was pulled out of a hat by Emmanuel Macron three years ago to coordinate the chancelleries of the Old Continent on common challenges in this delicate historical phase. The sixth edition will be held next week in Tirana, Albania, and will address various topics, from security to migration via competitiveness.
From Budapest, where the fifth EPC summit was held last November, the ball is now in Tirana‘s court. The Albanian capital will welcome on May 16 the leaders of the 47 participating nations, which include, among others, the 27 members of the EU, plus the United Kingdom, Ukraine, Turkey and the six countries of the Western Balkans. So far, European Council officials say, no official cancellations have come from the heads of state and government. The host, however, is expected to remain the current premier Edi Rama, unless the political elections scheduled for Sunday (May 11) resoundingly disprove the polls.
The work will focus on three main areas, defined in vague terms to allow everyone to offer specific contributions with respect to their own interests and experiences. In terms of choreography, the summit will open and close with two plenary sessions, while in the afternoon, participants will divide into three thematic tables, each of which will be co-chaired by one EU member state and one non-EU member state.
In the defence and security dimension, the focus of discussions will be on the conflict in Ukraine and continental defence (several EPC members are also simultaneously part of the coalition of the willing under Franco-British auspices), but they will also discuss how to protect democratic processes from so-called FIMI operations (foreign interference and manipulation, constantly in Brussels’ crosshairs).
The roundtable on competitiveness and economic security will touch on elements such as innovation, digital infrastructure, energy sustainability, industrial growth, and security of supply chains. Tariffs, however, will not be discussed, as for the Twenty-Seven trade policy is a competence of the EU Commission.
Finally, in the third group, ideas, suggestions, and best practices will be exchanged regarding legal migration and cooperation with third countries, but also brain return (and retention), empowerment of the younger generation, and transnational mobility in the age of artificial intelligence.
Since it is an informal forum for political dialogue and cooperation, there are no final documents: this, in the organisers’ intentions, should allow leaders to discuss more frankly. Above all, EU sources point out, this is an excellent opportunity for bilateral or plurilateral meetings on the sidelines, allowing heads of state and government to discuss individual pressing issues directly.
The overarching goal of these meetings, notes an official from the entourage of the president of the European Council, António Costa, is to “develop a common view on the future of Europe” through a format that remains sui generis, against the backdrop of the continent’s changed geopolitical reality in the wake of Russia’s aggression of Ukraine. At least in words. In deeds, a real common vision shared by all participants may remain a chimaera.
For example, at least a couple of the leaders who are expected to be present in Tirana—Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić—will attend tomorrow (May 9) the 80th anniversary celebrations of Soviet victory on Nazi Germany in 1945 hosted by Vladimir Putin in the Red Square in Moscow. In defiance of admonishments addressed to member states and candidate countries by the head of EU diplomacy, Kaja Kallas, not to travel to the czar’s court.
Next week’s will be the first EPC summit in the region. On the same days, May 15–17, Costa will conduct a series of visits through the six partners in the Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia) and will engage with the leaders of all these countries at an informal dinner in Tirana that will also be attended by the head of the EU executive Ursula von der Leyen and the High Representative, reflecting the importance of the enlargement process on the EU agenda. According to Council officials, 2025 is a potentially important year for the expansion of the twelve-star club, but there is still much work to be done on several fronts.
English version by the Translation Service of Withub
