Heads of state or government from approximately 45 European countries will gather at Blenheim Palace on Thursday for the 4th summit of the
European Political Community (EPC) to discuss issues including Ukraine, irregular migration, energy, and the protection of democracy.
The EPC, comprising both EU and non-EU nations, will host this summit at Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, located around 100 kilometers (62 miles) from London.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who will meet with French President Emmanuel Macron and Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris, will attend his first international summit since taking office on July 6. King Charles III is also set to host a reception for the summit participants.
NATO, OSCE, and Council of Europe to Participate for the First Time
This summit will include an opening session, a closing session, and three roundtable discussions, with Ukraine being the main agenda item. The leaders will address increased international support for Ukraine ahead of winter, as well as global and regional challenges related to irregular migration and European security.
For the first time, NATO, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), and the Council of Europe will participate in the EPC summit. The roundtable discussions will cover migration, energy, connectivity, and the defense and protection of democracy.
Emphasis on Environmental Sustainability
The EPC Summit will emphasize sustainability and environmental awareness. In line with this, 80% of the vegetables and fruits served to participants will be sourced from the gardens of Blenheim Palace and the Oxfordshire region, minimizing transportation costs and carbon emissions by using seasonal produce. Media and local officials will use public transportation, and the palace's generators will operate on plant-based fuels instead of diesel. The venue will be powered entirely by low-carbon emissions and renewable energy sources. Reusable and recyclable alternatives will replace single-use plastics. Additionally, summit furniture and items will be donated to local charities post-event, ensuring they are reused or recycled.
Broader Political Platform than the EU
The EPC was founded on Europe Day 2022, following a proposal by French President Emmanuel Macron. Macron envisioned the EPC as a new framework for democratic European nations committed to shared values, collaborating in areas such as politics, security, energy, and transportation. This proposal echoed the 1989 concept of a "European Confederation" by François Mitterrand.
The EPC aims to offer a broader platform for political debate in Europe than the EU, without replacing EU enlargement or forming a new international organization.
Previous EPC Summits
1st Summit in Prague: Held before the informal EU Leaders Summit in October 2022, attended by leaders from 27 EU members and various other European countries. Discussions focused on Russia's attack on Ukraine, the energy crisis, and economic conditions, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy joining via videoconference.
2nd Summit in Moldova: Sent a strong unity message to Moscow, highlighting support for Moldova and addressing concerns about Russia’s actions post-Ukraine invasion. President Zelenskyy attended in person, and discussions included peace efforts between Azerbaijan and Armenia and the crisis in Kosovo.
3rd Summit in Spain: Focused on "digitalization, energy-ecological transition, and multilateralism – Europe’s political future." Despite planned talks between Azerbaijani and Armenian leaders not occurring, the summit, held under Spain's EU presidency, highlighted support for Ukraine and discussed developments in Karabakh.
The upcoming summit in the UK aims to continue fostering collaboration among European nations on pressing issues, emphasizing both political coordination and environmental sustainability. Photo by DeFacto, Wikimedia commons.