Questions hang over European community summit

A chance to bring the continent together in the face of Russian aggression or an empty talking shop of squabbling rivals?  There are major questions over the prospects — and purpose — of the,” European Political Community” summit being launched in Prague on Thursday. The one-day gathering — a brainchild of French President Emmanuel Macron — will bring together the 27 European Union leaders with those from the broader neighbourhood, including Britain, Turkey and Ukraine.

Brussels has billed the initiative as an invaluable “platform for political coordination” among the disparate grouping of 44 nations invited.  But there are deep disagreements — and even open conflict — among some of those attending and scepticism that the one-day event will turn out to be much more than a glorified photo opportunity.

Russia, which is not invited, will loom over the meeting as discussions focus on the economic and security fallout from its war against its pro-Western neighbour. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky — currently overseeing a counter-offensive against Moscow’s forces — will connect via video link from Kyiv. His prime minister will stand in for him at the talks.

“The ambition is to bring leaders together on an equal footing and to foster political dialogue and cooperation on issues of common interest so that, together, we work on strengthening the security, stability and prosperity of Europe as a whole,” EU chief Charles Michel said in his invitation letter.

Those set to gather in the historic Prague Castle also include the leaders of Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia, Georgia, Iceland, Kosovo, Lichtenstein, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia and Switzerland.

EU officials have insisted that preparatory meetings showed there was “lots of interest” in the event from the countries invited. But even one of those organising the summit said there were doubts over its “added value”.  Within the bloc there are questions over the usefulness of an enterprise some see as a vanity project for Macron, with diplomats saying powerhouse Germany had expressed reservations. “We will see if it works. Maybe it’s a bad idea, or maybe it answers a real need for cooperation and then we have to make it more structured,” said one EU diplomat.  The summit has at least passed its first hurdle — convincing key European powers beyond the EU to show up.

“It is the first time that the leaders from the wider Europe, with the exception of Russia and Belarus, are coming together,” an EU official said.  British Prime Minister Liz Truss, a fierce supporter of the UK’s independent path since Brexit, will be there on one of her first major trips abroad after taking office.  London was wary about the event being too dominated by the EU club and reportedly wanted to change the name from “community” to “forum”.

Truss may be hoping for a respite from her woes at home after unleashing turmoil on Britain’s economy. But she could face a tricky ride from EU counterparts over UK efforts to renegotiate the post-Brexit trade deal for Northern Ireland.

The presence of Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan has also been a sore point for some.  EU members Greece and Cyprus have long-standing disputes with Ankara and the unpredictable Turkish leader is currently proving a headache for Sweden and Finland by stalling their bids to join NATO.  “The European Political Community was meant as a forum for democratic nations not for autocracies,” complained one European diplomat.

Even more fraught could be the presence of the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan, whose troops continue bloody clashes along their volatile frontier. Those pushing to join the EU — Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova and the Western Balkan nations — might be expected to be more open to making the event a success.  But they too are on their guard about the format becoming a consolation prize where the EU can park their ambitions on membership.

Whether the summit gains enough traction for there to be a repeat next year remains to be seen.  Both Britain and Moldova have offered to host a next edition that would move it beyond the borders of the EU.  

Agence France-Presse