Moldova at EPC Summit: Aims to boost defense and attract investments
President Maia Sandu is participating in the European Political Community (EPC) Summit in Tirana today, May 16. The agenda for the summit includes discussions on Europe's security and democratic resilience, competitiveness and economic security, as well as the dynamics of migration, mobility, and youth empowerment. "The EPC provides a flexible framework for dialogue among European states, facilitating cooperation in essential areas without imposing accession conditions, which is crucial given the current geopolitical tensions", said the International relations and security expert Grigore Guzun for Teleradio-Moldova.
The Presidency confirmed the Head of State's participation in the Sixth Summit. According to the statement, the President will meet with European leaders and heads of state and government to discuss the Republic of Moldova's economic development, regional peace and security, and the process of accession to the European Union.
WatchDog expert in international relations and security Grigore Guzun claims that the Republic of Moldova's participation in the EPC Summit underlines its firm commitment to European integration, particularly at a time when negotiations for accession to the European Union are in progress.
“Even though it is a different platform from the European Union, the EPC provides an informal framework for discussions and negotiations with the EU-member states; thus, the Republic of Moldova promotes its own political agenda. The topics addressed at the Summit, such as competitiveness and economic security, allow the Republic of Moldova to draw attention to its energy infrastructure and economic development needs. Participation in these discussions can facilitate access to investments and strategic partnerships”, the expert stated.
In the context of the security challenges generated by the war in Ukraine, Grigore Guzun mentions the importance of the Summit for *"obtaining support in strengthening defense capabilities and resilience to hybrid threats, including cyber threats, especially in the context of the upcoming parliamentary elections in September." *
*"Active participation and clear messages sent in Tirana have the power to influence European perception of Moldova's commitment to European values and standards," * he added.
What’s on the agenda for the Tirana meeting?
According to the official Summit website, the discussions will occur in three high-level thematic roundtables.
The first round will address Europe’s security and democratic resilience: “focusing on both immediate imperatives – such as supporting Ukraine in its quest for a just and lasting peace – and longer-term challenges, including protecting democratic processes from foreign interference and strengthening Europe’s collective defense capabilities.”
The second roundtable will examine ways to enhance economic competitiveness and security, focusing on innovation, digital infrastructure, energy resilience, and the strategic autonomy needed to secure critical supply chains and balance climate goals with industrial strength.
The broad dynamics of migration, mobility and youth empowerment will be the theme of the third round of discussions. European leaders are expected to explore coordinated solutions based on partnership and foresight: *“This conversation will also consider the role of the new generation in shaping the future of Europe, particularly in the context of artificial intelligence and the accelerated pace of technological change.”
Albania will host the sixth Summit of the European Political Community (EPC) in Tirana. The event will bring together 47 heads of state or government and leaders of the main European and international institutions. In 2023, the Republic of Moldova hosted the EPC Summit.
Also, on 17 May, President Maia Sandu will have a bilateral meeting with the President of Albania, Bajram Begaj, in Tirana.
Later, on 19 May, at the invitation of President Jakov Milatović, President Sandu will pay an official visit to Montenegro.
French President Emmanuel Macron launched the idea of a “European Political Community” in his speech before the European Parliament in Strasbourg on May 9, 2022.
“This new European organization would allow European democratic nations to find a new space for political cooperation, security, energy, transport, investment, infrastructure and mobility,” Macron declared.
The European Political Community is a pan-European governmental forum established following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It serves as a platform for bringing together European leaders.
