Leaders from more than 40 European countries meet in Dublin

Oheads of State and Government from more than 40 European countries are meeting today in Dublin for a European Political Community (EPC) summit focused on the security and competitiveness of the continent.

The beginning of the summit in the Irish capital is scheduled for 11:30 locals (the same time in mainland Portugal) and among the political leaders who will be present will also be the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

Portugal will be represented by the Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro.

Under the motto “a strong, secure and connected Europe”, the EPC summit will be divided into an opening plenary session, which will count on the participation of all the leaders, and then with several round table debates, in which the leaders are divided into groups to discuss issues in greater depth.

These more restricted debates will be devoted to two central themes: a “competitive Europe, focusing on innovation, connectivity and energy at affordable prices” and the “security and defence of a democratic Europe”.

Among the issues to be addressed in the discussion on security is the war in Ukraine, following this week's direct negotiations in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) between Ukrainians and Russians, mediated by the United States.

The two special envoys from the United States for these negotiations, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, announced on Wednesday that they would be moving to Dublin after a stop in Moscow to talk about these negotiations with Zelensky, who also confirmed this information.

Another issue that will also be discussed during the summit will be the recent hybrid attacks that Europe has been targeted, namely on supermarket refrigeration and blood supply systems or the false bomb threats on commercial flights in recent weeks.

At the margins of this summit, some European countries are expected to spread joint statements on migration, the fight against drug trafficking and European security principles.

The fact that Canada’s Prime Minister, Mark Carney, took part for the second consecutive time in a EPC summit – in May he had already been to Erevan, Armenia – is seen in the European institutions as “a very significant symbol” of how close Otava wants to keep to the European continent.

“ It will strengthen the links that connect us, particularly in the field of security”, highlighted a European source.

Established in 2022, after the start of the war in Ukraine, on the initiative of France, the EPC aims to create a platform for dialogue and cooperation on issues of common interest between EU Member States and neighbouring countries.

The Irish Government expects the Heads of State or Government of the 47 countries that make up the EPC to participate in this summit, which also includes Canada.

Among the summit participants will also be NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.