By Xhelal Neziri
More than 47 European leaders landed in Tirana today for the sixth summit of the European Political Community (EPC). As European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized: “This is a powerful symbol, a clear message that the EU is larger than its 27 current members.” It’s a vision increasingly shaped by the geopolitical urgencies triggered by the war in Ukraine and global crises.
The idea for this political platform was initiated by French President Emmanuel Macron in 2022, aiming to create a space for dialogue between EU member and non-member states. The previous five summits were held in different parts of Europe—this is the first to be hosted in the Balkans. In 2022, exactly 72 years after the first such concept, Macron revived the EPC idea at a time when the European Union was functional but weary of the enlargement process. After the methodology for membership negotiations was revised in 2019 and adopted a year later, Macron proposed the EPC as a tool to unify Europe while awaiting full enlargement. In his speech on May 9, 2022, at the Strasbourg Conference, he presented only part of his vision for this broader European union.
Within the EU, discussions are ongoing about reforming the decision-making process to establish a “two-speed Union.” Initially articulated by former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the idea has also been embraced in some form by now former Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Unlike France, Germany favors a more inclusive Union where decisions are made by majority vote rather than by consensus, as is currently the case. Scholz elaborated on this vision in late August 2022 in Prague, though it was met with skepticism from some Central European countries, which fear that changing the decision-making system could lead to discrimination against smaller economies due to their limited influence.
As internal EU reform is debated, the German-French axis is expected to remain the driving force. Although the United Kingdom left the EU in 2016, it is returning to a shared strategic orbit with the Union. Turkey is also playing a key role—as a bridge between East and West and as a factor in the new European and global security architecture.
Germany’s continued commitment to leading the Union was demonstrated by the first visit of newly elected German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to Brussels on May 9—Europe Day. It was his third day in office and his first trip abroad, sending a clear message: Germany not only supports strengthening the EU as a project that has brought peace and development for the past 75 years, but also aims to boost its geopolitical role in a world undergoing transformation.
While the EPC gathers today in the often-overlooked and historically burdened Balkans, the region has received a clear signal that Brussels remains committed to resolving its long-standing issues. The summit is being held at Skanderbeg Square in Tirana, focusing on key topics such as European security, economic competitiveness, migration, and the role of youth. As the first EPC summit in the Western Balkans, the symbolism is evident: this region is part of Europe, and the EU remains committed to enlargement toward the six non-member countries on the continent.
The EPC is not a bureaucratic structure but a political platform for dialogue and solutions. It represents countries that share common interests, principles, and values. In fact, the idea dates back to 1952 with the proposal for a European Coal and Steel Community and a European Defence Community. The project was abandoned in 1954 when France failed to ratify the defense treaty. Today, 70 years later, France is once again reviving the idea, this time in a format better suited to today’s reality. The potential return of Donald Trump to the White House has renewed urgency for a common European defense strategy.
Three years after the EPC’s promotion, European integration has not progressed at the hoped-for pace. Nevertheless, this platform seeks to keep alive the spirit of unity and the European perspective for the Western Balkans and other aspiring countries. According to projections, Montenegro could join the EU by 2028, with Albania following a year later. Skopje remains far from resolving its dispute with Sofia, while Serbia, Kosovo, and Bosnia and Herzegovina are still some distance from full integration.
So far, the EPC has succeeded in uniting European leaders around shared strategic interests. Whether it evolves into an expanded EU or a federation of states remains to be seen. Regardless, the EPC is helping sustain the European dream of peace and progress.