Europe Convenes! Leaders from 47 European Nations Discuss Security, Ukraine War
European Leaders Convene in Tirana to Tackle Security, Ukraine War, and Migration
Leaders from 47 European nations and organizations gathered in Albania’s capital for the sixth European Political Community (EPC) summit, focusing on security and defense amid Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
The summit, themed “New Europe in a New World: Unity, Cooperation, Joint Action,” also addressed migration and economic competitiveness.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attended, days after Russian President Vladimir Putin rejected his ceasefire proposal via Turkey. The war dominated discussions, with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and European Council President António Costa noting its far-reaching impact on European security.
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Bilateral meetings, a hallmark of EPC summits since the 2022 Prague inaugural, facilitated talks on issues like Azerbaijan-Armenia tensions.
The summit followed Rama’s Socialist Party securing a fourth term in Albania’s May 11 election, bolstering its EU membership push. Rama called hosting the EPC a “point of pride,” with his party eyeing EU entry by 2030.
The EPC, initiated by French President Emmanuel Macron and backed by former German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, aims to foster continental security but faces criticism as a potential brake on EU enlargement.
The UK’s Keir Starmer emphasized accountability for Putin, while critics questioned the EPC’s effectiveness. The next summit is set for Denmark later this year, as Europe grapples with unity and resilience.
