The inaugural meeting of the European Political Community (EPC) takes place in Prague on Thursday, bringing together leaders from 44 nations of the continent, including the 27 member states of the European Union.
The new pan-European grouping was an initiative of French President Emmanuel Macron, who sees it as an opportunity to structure dialogue on an equal footing between EU members and non-members on issues that confront them all.
The idea is also to keep Britain, a major military power, inside a European forum following its exit from the EU.The half-day meeting at the Prague Castle will start with roundtable discussions on threats to peace and security, and on the crises Europe faces on energy, climate, the economy and immigration. The leaders will then come together in the evening over dinner to review their conclusions.
British Prime Minister Liz Truss's decision to attend could facilitate a reset of ties between Brussels and London that have been frayed by post-Brexit wrangling over Northern Ireland.Borrell said in a blog ahead of the meeting that clarity is still needed on the EPC's core rationale, its final membership, its relationship with the EU, how it should take decisions and even whether it should have a budget of its own.
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