By Martin Banks

Richard Balfe, who is now a peer in the UK House of Lords, said, “The EPC certainly plays a potentially useful role, but it is one of a number of actors in an increasingly crowded field.”

The EPC, an initiative championed by Emmanuel Macron, aims to:

–          foster political dialogue and cooperation to address issues of common interest and

–          strengthen the security, stability and prosperity of the European continent.

Speaking exclusively, Lord Balfe told this site, “The NATO Parliamentary Assembly, OSCE, Council of Europe and of course the EU all competing on the same field. Not to mention the Nordic Council and the Artic Council all with permanent Secretariats.

“I note the EPC does not yet have anything in the way of a permanent Secretariat so I am not sure what its future role could be. I see the UK is hosting the next summit but at the moment we are very much in a wait and see situation.”

So  far, the EPC has met three times.

At the first meeting in October 2022, leaders mainly discussed peace and security issues, especially Russia’s war in Ukraine, and the energy crisis.

At the following meeting in June 2023, they discussed joint efforts for peace and security, energy resilience and connectivity and mobility in Europe.

Its members include the 27 EU states, the EU accession candidates (Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Moldova, Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine) and the potential EU accession candidates (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo), as well as Andorra, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

Their recent Granada meeting was also attended by the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola.

Many say the war in Ukraine has shown that a values-based, well-coordinated foreign policy is a prerequisite for a Europe of geopolitical stature.

After the inaugural meeting of the EPC last October German chancellor Olaf Scholz said: “The entire European community has met here as equals to exchange views on the important issues of our time, which include security, energy supply, climate and the economy, and to expand our collaboration.”.

“Those whose voices are not often heard also came to the table. That, too, is a consequence of this era of change.”