The European Political Community (EPC) was conceived in 2022 after Russia invaded Ukraine. With 45 members, the EPC links EU and non-EU states with a view to deepen pan-European solidarity. The second EPC summit takes place in Moldova in June and will be an opportunity to verify if it is likely to become a building block of a new Europe or just a talking shop.

The EPC needs to pass three tests. First, it has to be ‘light and informal’ like the G7, but at the same time able to formulate joint solutions and meaningful actions to common challenges, such as energy, the environment and migration. Second, it needs to reinforce EU enlargement, and not become an alternative solution to full EU membership for Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia, as well as the Western Balkans. Finally, EPC needs to be underpinned by human rights and the rule of law.

The stakes are high, and time is pressing. War in Ukraine confirms the need for a robust EPC as a building block of a new European order. The outcomes of the summit are therefore critical; if it transpires that the EPC has failed its three initial tests, not only will the whole project have fallen at the first hurdle, but also Europe’s geopolitical relevance and credibility will be diminished at a moment when ‘more’ Europe rather than ‘less’ Europe is needed.

Kerry Longhurst, Collegium Civitas International Relations Department, Kerry.Longhurst@civitas.edu.pl, https://twitter.com/longhurstkerry

22.05.2023