European Political Community Summit Opens in Dublin with 50 Leaders

According to Xinhua, the summit is being held at the Convention Centre Dublin under the theme “Europe – Strong, Secure and Connected.” It is co-chaired by Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin and European Council President António Costa.

Discussions are expected to focus on strengthening Europe's economic competitiveness, promoting innovation and energy cooperation, and improving its ability to respond to security threats, including foreign interference and hybrid attacks.

The conflict in Ukraine is also expected to feature prominently as European leaders seek to coordinate their positions amid renewed diplomatic efforts to end the fighting.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is among the participants, alongside representatives from European Union and non-EU countries.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is also attending as a guest, highlighting the summit's role in encouraging political dialogue beyond the European Union.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is expected to hold several bilateral meetings with European leaders, including Zelensky. According to NATO, Rutte is also scheduled to address reporters on the sidelines of the gathering.

Established in 2022, the European Political Community provides an informal platform for political dialogue and cooperation among European countries, regardless of whether they are members of the European Union.

The summit is taking place ahead of an informal meeting of EU heads of state or government scheduled for Friday in Dublin, where leaders are expected to discuss the bloc's strategic priorities.