European Union leaders and their continental counterparts will meet in Prague on Thursday and Friday to discuss responses to the dramatic consequences of the Russian war in Ukraine, according to European Council President Charles Michel.
"In a few days, we will meet in Prague for two important events: the first meeting of the European Political Community on October 6, and an informal meeting of the European Council the following day", he announced on Sunday in the letter of invitation to EU leaders.
“We agreed to launch the European Political Community with the aim of bringing together the countries of the continent,” he stressed.
The leaders of 17 European countries (United Kingdom, Turkey, the 6 Western Balkan countries, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, Armenia and Azerbaijan ) were invited.
“No formal written result is envisaged”
“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 to strengthen security, stability and prosperity of Europe as a whole", insisted Charles Michel.
The meeting will begin Thursday at 1 p.m. at Prague Castle with a plenary session.
It will be followed by "round tables and bilateral meetings", he said.
A working dinner will close this first meeting of the European Political Community, but "no formal written result is envisaged", he specified.
The leaders of the 27 EU countries will meet on Friday for an informal summit during which they will discuss “three urgent interrelated issues: Russia's war in Ukraine, energy and the economic situation”, according to Charles Michel.
“Economic, military, political and financial support”
"We will discuss how to continue to provide strong economic, military, political and financial support to Ukraine, for as long as necessary and we will consider how best to protect our critical infrastructure", explained Charles Michel.
The consultations must also help to "address high prices for households and businesses, support growth and jobs and protect the vulnerable who suffer the most from high energy bills", he insisted.
"The key will be our ability to remain united and coordinate our political response, in a spirit of solidarity and defense of our common interests," he said.
World
European Union: Emmanuel Macron symbolically hands over the presidency to the Czechs
World
War in Ukraine: EU Ministers grant Ukraine and Moldova EU candidate status
World
European Union (EU)
War in Ukraine
prague