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UK's Truss joins big European club seeking 'new order without Russia' UK's Truss joins Europe's leaders for big summit on Russian war
(about 1 hour later)
The gathering of European leaders from EU and non-EU states is the brainchild of France's Emmanuel MacronThe gathering of European leaders from EU and non-EU states is the brainchild of France's Emmanuel Macron
The leaders of 44 European countries are having talks in Prague, at a historic first meeting of a new political club of nations. The leaders of more than 40 European countries are having talks in Prague, at a historic first meeting of a new political forum of nations.
As he arrived, France's Emmanuel Macron spoke of building a "common strategy" in response to Russia's war in Ukraine.As he arrived, France's Emmanuel Macron spoke of building a "common strategy" in response to Russia's war in Ukraine.
UK Prime Minister Liz Truss joined leaders from the EU, Turkey, Norway and the Balkans, with Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky expected via video link. UK Prime Minister Liz Truss joined leaders from the EU, Turkey, Norway and the Balkans, as Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky spoke via video link.
She made clear the summit was "not an EU construct or an EU alternative". Germany's chancellor said the gathering was a great innovation.
However, her decision to take part could mark a new phase in the UK's post-Brexit relations with Europe. Writing in The Times ahead of the summit, she said that, after Brexit, the UK should be involved in discussions that affected "the entire continent and all of us here at home". The summit, billed as a European Political Community beyond the EU, has been championed by Emmanuel Macron, who told reporters on Thursday it sent a "message of unity". But there is scepticism, even within the EU, about the new forum.
The idea of a broader European political community beyond the EU has been championed by Emmanuel Macron, who told reporters on Thursday it sent a "message of unity". But there's scepticism, even within the EU, about the new forum. Ahead of the meeting, Ms Truss made clear it was "not an EU construct or an EU alternative". Nevertheless, her decision to take part could mark a new phase in the UK's post-Brexit relations with Europe.
The 44 leaders were discussing energy, migration and security, with a particular focus on the war in Ukraine. The leaders were discussing energy, migration and security, with a particular focus on the war in Ukraine. Officials said Ms Truss spoke of the need for stronger, more resilient economies and energy supplies, while stressing the need for freedom to succeed.
In a blog, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said that, in the wake of Russia's invasion, there was a need to "rethink and reform the wider European order, beyond the work of the EU and Nato", but he added that the summit would be no more than an initial exchange. Ukraine's president told the summit: "You and I are now in a strong position to direct all the possible might of Europe to end the war and guarantee long-term peace for Ukraine, for Europe, for the world."
As well as the UK, non-EU members Switzerland, Turkey, Norway, Iceland, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Western Balkan countries are among those taking part in the first gathering of the EPC. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in a blog that in the wake of Russia's invasion, there was a need to "rethink and reform the wider European order, beyond the work of the EU and Nato", but he added that the summit would be no more than an initial exchange.
As well as the UK, non-EU members Switzerland, Turkey, Norway, Iceland, Georgia, Azerbaijan and western Balkan countries are among those taking part in the first gathering of the EPC.
Germany's Olaf Scholz pointed out that all the countries attending the summit knew that Russia's war was "a brutal violation of the security and peace order that we have had in Europe over recent decades".
What is this new community?What is this new community?
Critics see it as a vague regurgitation of old ideas and its exact role has yet to be made clear.Critics see it as a vague regurgitation of old ideas and its exact role has yet to be made clear.
When he proposed the idea this year, President Macron said it would "offer a platform for political co-ordination" for countries both in the EU, and those not. When he proposed the idea this year, President Macron said it would "offer a platform for political co-ordination" for countries, both those in the EU and those not.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine gave new impetus for co-operation amongst nations beyond the EU's 27 member states. Russia's invasion of Ukraine gave new impetus for co-operation among nations beyond the EU's 27 member states.
What is the new European Political Community?What is the new European Political Community?
Truss pledges billions to support Ukraine in 2023Truss pledges billions to support Ukraine in 2023
But the new EPC has no institutions or dedicated staff. That has led to questions about how any decisions would be implemented.But the new EPC has no institutions or dedicated staff. That has led to questions about how any decisions would be implemented.
So it's an unprecedented effort to bring leaders together from across the continent to discuss areas of shared interest. If it proves to be a success, it may continue to take place up to twice a year. If it's a failure, it could fizzle out.So it's an unprecedented effort to bring leaders together from across the continent to discuss areas of shared interest. If it proves to be a success, it may continue to take place up to twice a year. If it's a failure, it could fizzle out.
UK Prime Minister Liz Truss met Czech counterpart Petra Fiala in Prague ahead of the inaugural summitUK Prime Minister Liz Truss met Czech counterpart Petra Fiala in Prague ahead of the inaugural summit
Ms Truss had been hostile to the EPC project, so what changed?
Warming upWarming up
Ms Truss had been hostile to the EPC project, so what changed?
Some observers point out it was never likely she would voice passionate enthusiasm for a French-led European meet-up while vying for the Tory leadership.Some observers point out it was never likely she would voice passionate enthusiasm for a French-led European meet-up while vying for the Tory leadership.
But once in power she appeared to warm to the idea, although Downing Street is reluctant to accept suggestions Mr Macron won her over. But once in power, she appeared to warm to the idea, although Downing Street is reluctant to accept suggestions that Mr Macron won her over.
It might prove to be a "modest" turning point in EU-UK relations, says the director of the Centre for European Reform, Charles Grant.It might prove to be a "modest" turning point in EU-UK relations, says the director of the Centre for European Reform, Charles Grant.
While a row about post-Brexit arrangements for Northern Ireland remains unresolved, talks are restarting this week.While a row about post-Brexit arrangements for Northern Ireland remains unresolved, talks are restarting this week.
"Neither side is trying to push that issue to the brink at the moment," says Mr Grant. "So this summit could be a sign of a modest rapprochement.""Neither side is trying to push that issue to the brink at the moment," says Mr Grant. "So this summit could be a sign of a modest rapprochement."
The official line is that the PM is heading to Prague because she wants to "shore up" support for Ukraine and "galvanise" collective action on energy security and migration. The official line was that the PM was taking part because she wanted to "shore up" support for Ukraine and "galvanise" collective action on energy security and migration.
Downing Street says Ms Truss will call on leaders to keep oil and gas interconnectors open this winter while taking part in talks on joint projects to develop new nuclear and offshore wind capacity. Downing Street said Ms Truss would call on leaders to keep oil and gas interconnectors open this winter while taking part in talks on joint projects to develop new nuclear and offshore wind capacity.
Another draw for the UK is the presence of Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Norway, a key supplier of energy to the UK. Another draw for the UK was the presence of Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as well as the participation of Norway, a key supplier of energy to the UK.
The UK has been less keen to talk about security, with jitters that the EPC could be seen as somehow cutting across the Nato military alliance.The UK has been less keen to talk about security, with jitters that the EPC could be seen as somehow cutting across the Nato military alliance.
If the EPC does prove short on solid outcomes, then expect it to be long on messages about support for Ukraine and condemnation of the Kremlin.If the EPC does prove short on solid outcomes, then expect it to be long on messages about support for Ukraine and condemnation of the Kremlin.
In the opening session, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will give a video address while Ms Truss will also take the floor, where she'll say the threat from Russia was "left to fester for far too long".
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will address the summit via video-linkUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will address the summit via video-link
But not all those attending are of one mind on the conflict.But not all those attending are of one mind on the conflict.
"One of the measures of success will be does it persuade Serbia, Azerbaijan and Turkey to lean a bit more to the West and less towards Russia?" says Mr Grant. "One of the measures of success will be, does it persuade Serbia, Azerbaijan and Turkey to lean a bit more to the West and less towards Russia?" says Mr Grant.
Turkey's talked of a "balanced" approach to Russia and hasn't signed up to Western sanctions. Turkey has talked of a "balanced" approach to Russia and has not signed up to Western sanctions.
"When first proposed by Macron, the EPC was supposed to be club with shared democratic values but it's now more about making sure Europe as a whole isn't Russia's friend," says Mr Grant. "When first proposed by Macron, the EPC was supposed to be a club with shared democratic values, but it's now more about making sure Europe as a whole isn't Russia's friend," says Mr Grant.
Uncertain identityUncertain identity
A sign of the uncertainty about what the EPC is really for is that there have been far clearer messages about what it is not.A sign of the uncertainty about what the EPC is really for is that there have been far clearer messages about what it is not.
It's not a substitute for NATO or the G7, we're told. It's not a substitute for Nato or the G7, we're told. It's not a slightly comfier "waiting room" for countries eager to join the EU. Nor it is a forum that will be dominated by EU institutions.
It's not a slightly comfier "waiting room" for countries eager to join the EU. That's despite invites having been issued by the president of the European Council, Charles Michel, while the meeting itself has been tacked on to the front of an EU summit.
Nor it is a forum that will be dominated by EU institutions.
That's despite invites having been issued by the president of the European Council, Charles Michel, while the meeting itself has been tacked onto the front of an EU summit.
Brussels insists it has merely been facilitating the forum - it's not "the EU plus plus", insisted one senior official.Brussels insists it has merely been facilitating the forum - it's not "the EU plus plus", insisted one senior official.
The next EPC, in either six months or a year's time, is likely to be held in Moldova.The next EPC, in either six months or a year's time, is likely to be held in Moldova.
If the project survives, the UK is currently fourth in line to host a summit. If the project survives, the UK is currently fourth in line to host a summit. But British officials are keen to play it cool on the EPC, insisting they will walk away if it evolves in an undesirable direction.
But British officials are keen to play it cool on the EPC, insisting they will walk away if it evolves in an undesirable direction.