First Meeting of the 'European Political Community'... Accelerating Pan-European Political Integration

[Asia Economy Reporter Eunju Lee] As the war in Ukraine prolongs, the 'European Political Community' (EPC) aimed at accelerating political integration in Europe will officially launch on the 6th (local time).

According to the EU, the first EPC meeting held at Prague Castle in the Czech Republic this afternoon will be attended by the heads of state of 44 countries, including the 27 EU member states and 17 non-EU countries, as well as Charles Michel, President of the European Council, and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to participate via video conference, with Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal attending in person on his behalf.

The meeting will begin with an opening plenary session, followed by roundtable discussions addressing political and security issues, energy, the climate crisis, and economic matters. Bilateral meetings among participating countries will also take place. Proposed first by French President Emmanuel Macron, the EPC aims to provide a political cooperation space among participating countries on security, energy and transportation, infrastructure investment, and the movement and exchange of Europeans. It is particularly seen as an attempt to solidify an 'anti-Russian scrum' among European democratic countries beyond the EU amidst common crises such as the energy crisis and inflation, despite differing interests.

Since the meeting is held a day before the EU informal summit on the 7th, the EU is expected to seek the participation and cooperation of non-EU European countries regarding the urgent energy crisis resolution and sanctions against Russia. However, there are also forecasts that it will be difficult to derive practical solutions as disagreements exist within the EU itself over issues such as support for Ukraine.