The European Political Community: A Nebulous Answer to the Strategic Question of How to Unite Europe

Abstract:

The European Political Community (EPC) is an institutionalised but flexible forum for political coordination between European countries. It was established in the aftermath of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. While the EPC is only in its early stages, and therefore there is a significant element of volatility in the subject, this Insight reflects on how the EPC innovates in terms of actors, process, and instruments with respect to the European Union, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe.

In terms of who is accepted as member, the EPC pursues both an inclusivity/exclusivity rationale of creating a geopolitical block across the continent and parallel integration rationale of offering some countries something more than the European Neighbourhood Policy but less than EU membership. In terms of processes, the EPC is formally, but by no means materially, separate from the EU. In terms of instruments, for the moment the added value of the EPC is in its presence. The Insight concludes with reflections on the future of the EPC, highlighting risks of duplication with those other organisations and issues of credibility.

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