The leaders of 44 European nations, ranging in size from Iceland to Turkey, convened over the course of one night in what many viewed as a united front against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as their economies were being decimated by an oil crisis and soaring inflation caused by the war.
The 27 European Union members, aspirant partners in the Balkans and Eastern Europe, as well as neighbours like Britain — the only member state to have left the EU — and Turkey, are all present at the EPC’s inaugural summit.
Along with its neighbour and ally in the conflict, Belarus, Russia is the only significant European state that was not invited.
The gathering was taking place at Prague Castle in the Czech Republic when Iceland’s prime minister, Katrin Jakobsdottir, told reporters, “What you will witness today is that Europe stands in solidarity against the Russian aggression in Ukraine.”
Alexander De Croo, her Belgian equivalent, remarked that “you can feel the importance merely by looking at the attendance here.”
Except for Belarus and Russia, the whole continent of Europe is present. Thus, it demonstrates how remote those two nations are.
According to Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins, everyone is affected by Russia’s conflict in Ukraine.
“It has an impact on all of us in terms of security, and it has an impact on all of us in terms of our economics due to the rising cost of energy. Therefore, cooperation among all of us, not just the European Union, is the only way we can address this. Working together is essential for all of Europe, he said.
Denys Shmyhal, the prime minister of Ukraine, attended the summit in Prague, and Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine, spoke to the leaders by video link.
Russia, a country that from a distance appears to be part of Europe but from the standpoint of its beliefs and behaviour is the most anti-European country in the world, is not represented among us, Zelensky added.
He declared, “We are now in a strong position to command all available European powers to stop the war and ensure long-term peace. For the globe, for Europe, and for Ukraine.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany and French President Emmanuel Macron support the forum. According to them, it should work to increase security and prosperity throughout the continent.
Critics assert that the new forum represents an effort to halt EU enlargement.
Others worry that it might become into a talking shop that meets maybe once or twice a year but has no real influence or substance.
The Council of Europe, the top defender of human rights in Europe, seems bewildered by the gathering. The European Political Community, according to spokesman Daniel Holtgen, “is still to be defined.”
Such a pan-European society, he added, already exists in the areas of human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. Its name is the Council of Europe.
The event, according to Macron, was “an significant moment.” He stated that the goal is to develop a coordinated plan to address the issues that Europe is facing. “That did not actually exist till today and might cause divisions.”
Because leaders may discuss their shared concerns “free of a daily agenda and the necessity to reach agreements,” Scholz dubbed the new conference “a brilliant idea.” This would strengthen links with the EU’s surrounding countries, “many of which aspire to join.”
According to him, the goal of the new European grouping is not to establish “a new institution with an administration, bureaucracy,” but rather to provide a platform for frequent meetings of leaders of state and government.
Following an opening ceremony, the summit’s leaders met in a number of sessions to examine the major issues that Europe is currently facing, including security, energy, the environment, the poor economic situation, and migration.
No EU funds or initiatives are being offered, and no official statement will be released following the session. Whether a second meeting ever occurs will likely be the best indicator of its success.
Russia is left out of the 44-leader conference held by Europe.
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