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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Truss declares Macron a friend as pair forge working relationship | Truss declares Macron a friend as pair forge working relationship |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The gathering of European leaders from EU and non-EU states is the brainchild of France's Emmanuel Macron | The gathering of European leaders from EU and non-EU states is the brainchild of France's Emmanuel Macron |
| Prime Minister Liz Truss labelled Emmanuel Macron a "friend" as they announced plans to work together at the first meeting of a new political club of nations. | Prime Minister Liz Truss labelled Emmanuel Macron a "friend" as they announced plans to work together at the first meeting of a new political club of nations. |
| Ms Truss had declined to say whether the French president was a "friend or foe", during her leadership campaign. | |
| The French president said he hoped for a "new phase" in post-Brexit relations. | |
| The pair agreed to step up cooperation on "ending" small boat crossings in the Channel and announced a summit in 2023. | The pair agreed to step up cooperation on "ending" small boat crossings in the Channel and announced a summit in 2023. |
| Leaders from the European Union (EU), the UK, Turkey, Norway and the Balkans attended the first European Political Community (EPC) meeting in Prague on Thursday. | |
| They discussed energy, migration and security, with a particular focus on the war in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke via video link. | They discussed energy, migration and security, with a particular focus on the war in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke via video link. |
| What is the new European Political Community? | What is the new European Political Community? |
| Truss pledges billions to support Ukraine in 2023 | Truss pledges billions to support Ukraine in 2023 |
| The summit, billed as a European Political Community beyond the EU, has been championed by Mr Macron, who told reporters on Thursday it sent a "message of unity". | The summit, billed as a European Political Community beyond the EU, has been championed by Mr Macron, who told reporters on Thursday it sent a "message of unity". |
| Among the European leaders taking part were Liz Truss (top left) and Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan (bottom row, 7th from the right) | Among the European leaders taking part were Liz Truss (top left) and Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan (bottom row, 7th from the right) |
| The prime minister and Mr Macron released a joint statement promising an "ambitious" package of measures aimed at "ending" small boat crossings on the Channel. | The prime minister and Mr Macron released a joint statement promising an "ambitious" package of measures aimed at "ending" small boat crossings on the Channel. |
| Mr Macron said: "We have values and history so I'm happy that we meet again." | |
| "This is an island, but this island didn't move from the rest of the continent so we do have so many things in common." | "This is an island, but this island didn't move from the rest of the continent so we do have so many things in common." |
| The UK and France have clashed over several issues in recent years, including migrant boat crossings in the Channel, a military pact between Britain, the US and Australia, and Brexit measures involving Northern Ireland. | The UK and France have clashed over several issues in recent years, including migrant boat crossings in the Channel, a military pact between Britain, the US and Australia, and Brexit measures involving Northern Ireland. |
| Britain is also poised to renew its participation in the North Seas Energy Cooperation (NSEC), a group comprising nine European states and the European Commission, which works on expanding offshore wind energy in the region. | |
| Standing up to Russia | Standing up to Russia |
| 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." | 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." |
| Following the meetings, Ms Truss said: "Leaders leave this summit with greater collective resolve to stand up to Russian aggression." | |
| "What we have seen in Prague is a forceful show of solidarity with Ukraine, and for the principles of freedom and democracy." | "What we have seen in Prague is a forceful show of solidarity with Ukraine, and for the principles of freedom and democracy." |
| Ms Truss said Macron is a friend, Putin is the foe | Ms Truss said Macron is a friend, Putin is the foe |
| Ms Truss said Macron is a friend, Putin is the foe | Ms Truss said Macron is a friend, Putin is the foe |
| As well as the UK, non-EU members Switzerland, Turkey, Norway, Iceland, Georgia, Azerbaijan and western Balkan countries took part in the first gathering of the EPC. | As well as the UK, non-EU members Switzerland, Turkey, Norway, Iceland, Georgia, Azerbaijan and western Balkan countries took part in the first gathering of the EPC. |
| Britain is now expected to host the fourth EPC meeting in 2024, with Moldova and Spain to hold the second and third respectively. | Britain is now expected to host the fourth EPC meeting in 2024, with Moldova and Spain to hold the second and third respectively. |
| What is the European Political Community? | What is the European Political Community? |
| Critics see it as a vague regurgitation of old ideas. Its exact role is still evolving. | Critics see it as a vague regurgitation of old ideas. Its exact role is still evolving. |
| When he proposed the plan this year, Mr Macron said it would "offer a platform for political co-ordination" for countries, both those in the EU and those not. | When he proposed the plan this year, Mr 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 among 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. |
| But the EPC has no institutions or dedicated staff. That has led to questions about how any decisions would be implemented. | But the EPC has no institutions or dedicated staff. That has led to questions about how any decisions would be implemented. |
| 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. | 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. |
| Centre for European Reform Director, Charles Grant said 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". | Centre for European Reform Director, Charles Grant said 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". |
| Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the summit via video link | Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the summit via video link |
| SIX DEGREES: Jamie and Spencer call Idris Elba! | SIX DEGREES: Jamie and Spencer call Idris Elba! |
| SIZZLING SUCCESS OR FIZZLING OUT?: Will using an air fryer save you money? | SIZZLING SUCCESS OR FIZZLING OUT?: Will using an air fryer save you money? |