The European Political Community is born, a new format for continental challenges. But no agreement on gas

The one staged today in Prague is an unprecedented one: a new, different, enlarged summit, which goes beyond the borders of Europe.

More than the OSCE, more than the Council of Europe.

“This is an old idea, but it is now becoming a reality.

We have brought

here

, to discuss, as a European entity, with other countries about issues that we have in common.

Geographically we share the same continent ”, comments French President

in the final press conference of the summit of

.

This is the new name of the summit that took place today in the Czech capital, chaired by the current EU president, the Czech

.

There was also

, who confirmed that her country, "next spring", will host the second summit of the new format.

During the meeting, the Italian Prime Minister

together with Greece, Poland and Belgium proposed a ceiling on the price of gas, defined as “dynamic”, but it has so far remained unheard.

Born in a hurry, in turbulent and uncertain times, with a bloody war in the heart of (continental) Europe, with the most serious energy crisis of the last fifty years, with the related challenges of climate change, the European Political Community ( which is not only European) was officially inaugurated in Hradčany Castle.

"It is a question of building a

" a radiant Macron commented.

But also “to send a message of unity”.

The background, of course, is the war in Ukraine and the various related crises - energy, food, migration.

AP Photo / Alastair Grant, Pool

The Prague Summit

"We are all here to understand

", adds the High Representative of EU foreign policy,

, who adds: "We must do it without Russia not because we don't want Russia but because Putin took her out of the European community ”.

The parterre is really “big”: in addition to the 27 members of the European Union,

,

,

,

,

parade at the Prague Castle ;

,

and

_

, future EU countries (at the moment it is not possible to predict probable entry dates).

Then there are the countries of the Caucasus,

and

.

There is

, the Nordic

and

There are even historically neutral

and

.

Finally, there is the

, with new premier

already in a sea of ​​trouble at home.

“The entire European continent is here except Belarus and Russia” remarked the Belgian

.

The format of the Cep (or CoPo) is deliberately agile to allow a 'liquid' dialogue.

First a plenary in which the host, Petr Fiala, took the floor, followed by

(video from Kiev), the Norwegian

, the Albanian

and the British Liz Truss.

The plenary was followed by

on the two topics of the summit: “Energy, climate and economy” and “Peace and security”, the two pillars that contain current (and future) challenges.

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi attended the first, co-chaired by Greek Prime Minister

and Swiss President

- there were also the leaders of Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Serbia.

Italy, we recall, has proposed a ceiling on the price of “dynamic” gas with Poland, Greece and Belgium, even if the agreement is still missing.

AP Photo / Petr David Josek

Photo opportunity at the top

At the end of the gala dinner, imagined as a

of the work done during the afternoon round tables.

Heads of state and government were encouraged to organize bilateral or meetings in other formats.

One of the thorniest issues, still open, is the confrontation, which often leads to armed clashes, between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

The occasion of the Prague summit offered the two presidents, the Azerbaijani

and the Armenian

, the opportunity to meet, discuss and speak.

And finally to shake hands,

and Macron ("godparents" of their respective countries) present and smiling.

In conclusion, Alyiev and Pashynian closed in a quadrilateral with the president of the European Council

and the French president himself.

A diplomatic success in that match would be a good baptism for the European political community.

How this summit will develop, if it will develop, remains to be seen.

Meanwhile, Michel notes, the premises are good, since "we share the same continent, we face the same challenges, we have the possibility to understand how to improve cooperation".

Good luck.