Jacques Serais, edited by Laura Laplaud 07:04, October 07, 2022
The first meeting of the European Political Community ended Thursday evening in Prague.
A success for the 44 leaders of the continent who were able to address issues relating to peace, migration and energy security.
But what conclusions can we draw from this first meeting?
The first meeting of the European Political Community (EPC) - with 44 leaders from across the continent - ended on Thursday evening in Prague.
If the EPC now gives way this Friday to an informal European Council, at 27, in the capital of the Czech Republic, what conclusions can we draw from the first meeting of the European Political Community?
>> Find Europe Matin in replay and podcast here
The 44 leaders meet again
No concrete decision has been taken but a promise: to meet again next May in Moldova.
Because according to general admission, here in Prague, this new format with 44 countries is a success, as welcomed by the host of this first meeting, the Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala.
“We led debates in a plenary session, round tables, bilateral meetings. We talked about stability in Europe, peace, migration, energy security and of course the economy. We were able to confirm that the European Political Community is a format that makes sense!” he said.
Neither a new alliance, nor a new union...
Emmanuel Macron, at the initiative of this format, also welcomes it: "It's a very old idea which is perhaps collectively becoming a reality. It's the idea that Europe looks at itself as a continent whatever its forms, whatever the organizations that exist, and can discuss between sovereign States and between equals these common problems.
But it is not without friction, like the dinner of these leaders Thursday evening.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriákos Mitsotakis left the room following comments made against his country by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
This political community is far from being a new alliance, or even a new union.