2nd Summit of the European Political Community in Moldova

The event, which brings together nearly 50 heads of state and government, is seen as a platform for political coordination between countries across the European continent.

Heads of state and government attend the 2nd EPC summit in Moldova. (Source: (EC)

According to VNA correspondents in Central and Eastern Europe, on June 1, the European Political Community (EPC) held its second summit in Moldova.

The event, which brings together nearly 50 heads of state and government, is seen as a platform for political coordination between countries across the European continent.

Host country Moldova stressed that the EPC aims to promote dialogue and political cooperation to address issues of mutual concern and enhance security, stability and prosperity of the European continent.

This year's EPC Summit focuses on three main themes: joint efforts for peace and security; energy resilience and climate action ; connections in Europe for a better-connected and more stable continent.

Attending the conference at Mimi Castle, located more than 30 km east of the capital Chisinau of Moldova, were 47 leaders of European countries, including 27 member countries of the European Union (EU).

In her opening speech, Moldovan President Maia Sandu said the conference, held just 20km from the Ukrainian border, demonstrated a strong determination to restore peace in Europe, and demonstrated strength and unity in a context where the stability of the Old Continent is under threat.

Before the conference, President Sandu also stressed that the EPC “is a unique platform that gives large and small countries, both inside and outside the EU, an equal voice in the discussions.”

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Joseph Borrell said the presence of European leaders in Chisinau represents a message of solidarity as the war in Ukraine continues.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was also in Chisinau for the conference. He thanked European countries for their support for Kiev and spoke of a Ukraine with a “future in the EU.”

The EPC is an initiative officially proposed by French President Emmanuel Macron at the end of June 2022 within the framework of France's rotating EU Presidency.

According to Mr. Macron's proposal, the goal of this project is to build a policy coordination platform for European countries across the continent, promote dialogue and political cooperation to address issues of common concern, and enhance security, stability and prosperity of the European continent.

The EPC summit is held on a rotational basis between EU member states and non-EU countries. This is the first EPC summit to be held in a non-EU country.

The first EPC summit took place on October 6 in Prague (Czech Republic), bringing together 43 heads of state and government leaders of European countries.

In March 2022, Moldova officially applied to join the EU and hopes to speed up the process.

At the Brussels summit on June 23, 2022, the EU approved granting Moldova and Ukraine candidate status.

The European Commission then outlined nine conditions that Moldova needed to meet to be admitted./.

Ngoc Bien (Vietnam News Agency/Vietnam+)

Source: https://baodaknong.vn/hoi-nghi-thuong-dinh-lan-thu-2-cong-dong-chinh-tri-chau-au-tai-moldova-151524.html