European Political Community: Speech on behalf of High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell at the EP debate on the outcome of the first meeting

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Madame President, Honourable Members of the [European] Parliament,  

On 6 October, President [of the European Commission, Ursula] von der Leyen and High Representative/Vice President [Josep] Borrell participated in the first summit of the European Political Community in Prague, together with President [of the European Council] Charles Michel. It was a historic event with 44 European leaders, who came to discuss how to preserve security, stability and prosperity through cooperation in Europe. The leaders shared sense of usefulness to discuss strategic issues. 

In that regard, the Russian invasion of Ukraine was particularly raised by the leaders as a direct attack on the European and global order. It is also a frontal assault on the basic tenets of the post-Cold War European and international security order that Russia has signed up to itself. Hence a fundamental question: on what principles can we best organise the political and security order of Europe?  

For the foreseeable future, it is impossible to conceive a new security order or ‘peace architecture’ in Europe of which Russia would be an integral part. Russia remains a geographical neighbour and a member of the international system – but right now, we have to build a European security order without the Kremlin.  

In Prague, the European leaders sent a strong signal directed not only to Russia but also to the rest of the world about Europe’s sincerity with regard to defending rules-based multilateral order as enshrined in the UN Charter, and against the backdrop of Russia’s weaponisation of energy and food that is affecting the global economy. The Prague meeting represented the need for common resolve and action underpinned by a broader and longer-term strategic approach among Europeans.  

The European Political Community (EPC) represents an opportunity to [put] that common resolve into action. It provides fora, political impulse and constitute a vital ‘structuring’ element across the continent.  

The EPC is about a community in the original sense since all participating states have a common interest in its broad objective. 

A community of shared principles through an alignment on principles that guarantee peace and stability on the continent. An illustration is an agreement facilitated by President [of the European Council, Charles] Michel and President [of France, Emmanuel] Macron to establish a civilian EU mission in Armenia alongside the border with Azerbaijan.  

A community of resilience to reduce the exposure and vulnerability of our countries to risks and threats of an increasingly hybrid nature. This would include, inter alia,  economic security and energy resilience. The connection of Ukraine to the European electricity grid when Russia weaponised energy is an example. 

A community of cooperation aimed at strengthening economic cooperation, interconnectedness and cross-border sectorial cooperation. Hence the talks in Prague about energy interconnectors in the North Sea and the Balkans and strengthening production capacity with countries such as Norway and Azerbaijan. 

Finally, a community that adds value to existing institutions and formats. The EPC is complementary to the EU policies and other regional frameworks. Particularly enlargement, which remains our most relevant geopolitical tool. EPC is not about competing with other existing international structures, such as the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and NATO - our most vital partners in upholding the Euro Atlantic security.  

Honourable Members, we need to back up our words with actions to demonstrate alternatives to the Russian way of exploiting vulnerabilities by the power of the stronger.  

Therefore, we must seek to seize this momentum to show European unity and strength. 

Thank you. 

Link to the video (starting at 3:45): https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-231756

Closing remarks  



Madame President, Honourable Members, 

I believe there is indeed a great potential in this initiative. 

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has instilled further urgency and importance into our efforts to strengthen the European Union’s role as a security actor and provider. Our ability to respond to threats and challenges benefits from the partnerships in Europe and beyond. Together, all European countries can devise pragmatic ways to cooperate and strengthen our collective capacities and leverage. 

Going forward, our collective response should be articulated along the [following] key principles.  

First, stay the course on a triple strategy: supporting Ukraine, pressuring Russia –to stop its war of aggression- and addressing the wider fall out of the war. 

Second, reflect on the strategic implications for European security. Russia seeks a new continental security architecture, based on transactional relations and spheres of influence between great powers.   

Russia has tried to divide us, but it has achieved the opposite: our unity, strength and resolve have never been greater.

The next European Political Community (EPC) meetings are planned in Moldova, Spain and the United Kingdom, where we all - all Europeans - can take this initiative further. The very fact that there is already clarity on the hosting of the next summits proves a degree of political interest and commitment to maintain this process. Obviously, the practice will show how it evolves and addresses some open questions, particularly regarding the scope and nature of practical cooperation, i.e. on energy, as well as the nature of the institutional set-up.  

Thank you very much. 

Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-231758