Support for Ukraine, strengthening European security, countering hybrid threats and improving technological competitiveness were the main priorities at the ninth European Political Community (EPC) summit, held on Thursday in Dublin.
Speaking at a press conference following the meeting, Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin and European Council President António Costa highlighted the need for closer European cooperation in addressing the continent’s growing security and economic challenges.
Martin described the summit as an intensive and productive day, during which European leaders discussed both immediate challenges and concrete steps to shape Europe’s common future.
He identified four key priorities emerging from the discussions: reaffirming solidarity with Ukraine as Russia intensifies attacks on civilians and critical infrastructure, strengthening cooperation against hybrid threats, improving Europe’s innovation capacity through new technologies, and ensuring access to clean and affordable energy.
Costa said the central focus of the summit was the effort to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.
He outlined three European priorities in the ongoing diplomatic efforts: securing a ceasefire, restoring navigation in the Black Sea and creating the conditions necessary for a peace agreement.
“Progress in this direction has so far been limited, while Russia continues to intensify its military operations,” Costa said.
The European Council president also stressed that Ukraine is a sovereign country with the right to independently choose its allies and international partners.
“The future of European security cannot be negotiated or decided without Europe,” Costa declared, adding that the European Union, together with NATO, has an active role in the ongoing diplomatic efforts.
Serbia was represented at the ninth European Political Community summit by National Assembly Speaker and Acting President Ana Brnabić.
The next European Political Community summit is scheduled to take place in Zurich in April 2027.
