2nd European Political Community Summit

The Second European Political Community Summit is a planned meeting of the European Political Community to be held on 1 June 2023 at Mimi Castle, Bulboaca 35 km from Chișinău, Moldova.[1] It is expected to be attended by forty-seven heads of states, governments, and European Union institutions.[2]

2nd European Political Community Summit
Host country Moldova
Date1 June 2023
Venue(s)Mimi Castle
CitiesChișinău
Bulboaca
ChairPresident of Moldova: Maia Sandu (expected)
Follows1st
Precedes3rd
Websitehttps://epcsummit2023.md/

Aims

The focus of discussions for the summit are expected to include securing key infrastructure such as pipelines, cables, and satellites; stepping up the fight against cyberattacks, creating a support fund for Ukraine, working out a common, pan-European energy policy and looking into the possibility of having more university and student exchanges.[3]

In the official statement announcing the date of the summit, Moldovan President Maia Sandu stated that the discussions will include "joint efforts for peace, in the context of the war in Ukraine and related crises, the defense of democracy, the strengthening of energy security and the resilience of European states".[4]

According to the official website for the summit, the main focus of discussions will be on the following three topics: joint efforts for peace and security; energy resilience and climate action; and interconnections in Europe for a better connected and more stable continent.[5]

Preparation
Mimi Castle is to host the 2nd EPC summit on 1 June 2023

A brainstorming session on the future shape of the European Political Community was held by Moldovan foreign minister Nicu Popescu in Paris on 22 November 2022.[6] Preparations and agendas for the summit were further discussed at a meeting of OSCE foreign ministers in Łódź, Poland in December 2022.[7] On 12 January 2023, it was announced by Moldovan President Maia Sandu, that the summit would be held on 1 June 2023.[8][9][4] On 21 January 2023, it was confirmed that San Marino has joined the European Political Community and will be attending the summit.[10] A preparatory meeting for the summit, involving officials from the participating states, was held on 26 January 2022 at the headquarters of the European Council in Brussels.[11] On 3 February 2023, Popescu announced that the venue for the summit had been decided upon and would be made public in due course.[12][13] Popescu discussed arrangements and preparations for the summit on the fringes of a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council on 20 February 2023.[14] On 2 March 2023, it was announced that the summit would take place at Mimi Castle, a private winery 35km from Chișinău.[15] It has been reported that the heads of government of Andorra and Monaco will also attend this summit.[16][17] On 17 March 2023, French president Emmanuel Macron spoke to Moldovan president Maia Sandu and reassured her that in the face of Russia's hybrid-war against her country, France would provide all necessary support requested to facilitate the organization of the summit.[18] An official website, Twitter account and Facebook account for the summit were launched on 27 April 2023.[19]

Participants
Moldovan president Maia Sandu is expected to chair the plenary sessions of the summit

The summit is expected to be attended by the heads of state or government of the states participating in the European Political Community along with the President of the European Council, the President of the European Commission and the President of the European Parliament. Forty-seven heads of states or governments have been invited to attend.[20][21]

Outcomes

EU civilian mission in Moldova
Main article: European Union Partnership Mission in Moldova

On 24 April 2023, European Union member states agreed to deploy a Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) civilian mission to Moldova to help the country deal with hybrid threats it faces as a result of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. The mission is expected to be formally launched during the summit.[22][23]

Moldovan president Maia Sandu has stated that the hosting of the summit in the country will help ensure security by sending a clear message that "Moldova has numerous and powerful friends, who support us in our desire to maintain peace and stability" and that "in these difficult times, when Russia continues to wage an inhumane war against Ukraine, the diplomatic support provided by this event is invaluable.[21]

Kosovo-Moldova relations

Host nation Moldova has not recognized the independence of Kosovo and usually refuses admission to holders of Kosovar passports which could lead to issues with delegates from Kosovo attending the summit. However, in the lead up to the summit, legislation has been progressed in the Moldovan parliament that if enacted will acknowledge that Kosovar passports as valid travel documents allowing holders to apply for electronic visas to enter Moldova.[24]

Armenia-Azerbaijan relations
Main article: Armenia-Azerbaijan relations

It is anticipated that a meeting between Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azeri President Ilham Aliyev will be held at the summit, building on progress made at US-mediated talks in Washington held in early May 2023.[25][26] A similar meeting at the previous summit in October 2022, led to the deployment of a European Union mission to help monitor the border between the two countries.

See also

References
  1. "The next meeting of the European Political Community will take place next spring in Chisinau — Presidency of the Republic of Moldova".
  2. "Informal meeting of heads of state or government, Prague, 6–7 October 2022". www.consilium.europa.eu. Retrieved 2022-09-08.
  3. "What Did the First Meeting of the European Political Community Actually Achieve?".
  4. "Cea de-a doua reuniune a Comunității Politice Europene va avea loc pe 1 iunie 2023, la Chișinău — Președinția Republicii Moldova".
  5. "Home page | European Political Community Summit". epcsummit2023.md.
  6. Popescu, Nicu [@nicupopescu] (22 November 2022). "Productive brainstorming session in Paris today on the shape and the future of the European Political Community. Grateful to @ecfr & @markhleonard for bringing bright minds together and to @francediplo for providing a historic Quai d'Orsay venue to encourage innovative thinking. t.co/vGqlGOi7yQ" (Tweet). Retrieved 23 February 2023 – via Twitter.
  7. "The Summit of the European Political Community will be hosted next year by the Republic of Moldova". moldova1.md.
  8. Sandu, Maia [@sandumaiamd] (12 January 2023). "Invitations for the 2nd Summit of the European Political Community are out today! On June 1st, we will host in #Chisinau 47 heads of states, governments, and EU institutions. Looking forward to seeing everyone in 🇲🇩 Moldova" (Tweet). Retrieved 23 February 2023 – via Twitter.
  9. "Moldova To Host 2nd European Political Community Summit In June - President". UrduPoint.
  10. Šefčovič, Maroš [@MarosSefcovic] (20 January 2023). "We're strengthening our partnerships with countries sharing the same values. Glad that San Marino will join the European Political Community meeting in June. A future Association Agreement will be an additional boost for 🇪🇺🇸🇲 relations. Honoured to have met the Captains Regent. t.co/L2KlsCDATG" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 22 January 2023. Retrieved 23 February 2023 – via Twitter.
  11. Vela, Blerim [@Blerim_Vela] (26 January 2023). "Preparatory meeting for the upcoming Chisinau Summit of the European Political Community. Building on success of the Prague Summit & pursuing an engaging agenda that brings together 47 European states. #Kosovo actively contributing to EPC's success. Great work by 🇲🇩 & 🇪🇺 teams. t.co/JlM8IjjHhj" (Tweet). Retrieved 23 February 2023 – via Twitter.
  12. "Doisprezece lideri din Europa și-au confirmat deja participarea la Reuniunea Comunității Politice Europene, care va avea loc la Chișinău. Nicu Popescu: "Va fi cel mai important eveniment organizat pe teritoriul R. Moldova în ultimii 30 de ani"". www.ziarulnational.md.
  13. "Nicu Popescu comes with details on the European Political Community Summit which is to take place in Chisinau". radiomoldova.md.
  14. étrangères, Ministère de l'Europe et des Affaires. "European Union – Mme Catherine Colonna's participation in the Foreign Affairs Council (20 Feb. 2023)". France Diplomacy - Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.
  15. Moldova, Europa Liberă (March 2, 2023). "Reuniunea Comunității Politice Europene, la SRL „Castel Mimi"" – via moldova.europalibera.org.
  16. Press, Europa (March 3, 2023). "Andorra se abre a estudiar los efectos de un 'no' al acuerdo de asociación con la UE". www.europapress.es.
  17. "La Moldavie face au défi d'un sommet à 47 leaders". Les Echos. March 16, 2023.
  18. l’AFP, avec (March 17, 2023). "Emmanuel Macron exprime son soutien à la Moldavie face aux « tentatives de déstabilisation russes »". Ouest-France.fr.
  19. "| Ministerul Afacerilor Externe şi Integrării Europene al Republicii Moldova". mfa.gov.md.
  20. "Moldova to host second meeting of European Political Community on 1 June - EU NEIGHBOURS east". euneighbourseast.eu. January 13, 2023.
  21. "50 heads of state and government from Europe to attend European Political Community Summit". www.moldpres.md.
  22. "EU sending anti-coup mission to Moldova in May". EUobserver. March 31, 2023.
  23. "Foreign Affairs Council: Press remarks by High Representative Josep Borrell upon arrival | EEAS". www.eeas.europa.eu.
  24. Витанова, Елена (March 16, 2023). "Молдова не признает Косово из-за Приднестровья. Но собирается разрешить въезд по паспортам Косово. Это как?".
  25. "France FM announces possibility of Armenia, Azerbaijan leaders' meeting on June 1 in Chisinau". news.am.
  26. https://www.state.gov/armenia-azerbaijan-peace-negotiations/


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