
- #Unrealistic optimism could best be described as an driver#
- #Unrealistic optimism could best be described as an upgrade#
- #Unrealistic optimism could best be described as an full#
#Unrealistic optimism could best be described as an full#
Ukraine must hear that its path towards full European integration has broad support. That means forget about the squabbles post-Brexit and partner with Britain since it will remain a vital security provider. With its illegal annexations, Russia has engaged in revisionism not seen since the days of the Axis powers.

The European Political Community needs to understand that in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, Europe faces the most serious challenge to its security, prosperity, and long-term future in general since World War II. Quite a challenge for the Czech EU Presidency.Īaron Korewa - Director, Atlantic Council Warsaw Office It could end up as previous grand-design projects, as an empty political gesture with no impact on European security. However, since there is no unity even among EU members, it is difficult to assume EPC could establish a common ground in a much broader and diverse group of states.
#Unrealistic optimism could best be described as an upgrade#
It could foster and upgrade EU’s neighbourhood policies and make accession of candidate states more feasible in the near future. If not overloaded with unrealistic ambitions, a European Political Community could serve as a modest response to the Russian onslaught on the European security architecture that left existing institutions like the OSCE useless. Jiří Schneider - Former Czech Diplomat, Visegrad Insight Senior Fellow On the other hand, conditionality on alignment with the EU on foreign and security policy issues should be elevated to an equal footing with fundamentals in the enlargement process. They should become part of European solutions on important security issues. This platform should also serve as a catalyser for speeding up the EU integration process for the candidate and aspirant countries. This should be done by working together as democratic members of a European family in the framework of the transatlantic community. Russia’s unjustified war in Ukraine and its disruptive actions, China’s assertive economic behaviour, the global pandemic, the crushing energy crisis and economic downturn, the climate emergency, the technological revolution, rising nationalism and receding democracy all around the world require bold European engagement in international affairs. This is all the more important in light of the new security environment in Europe. A forum that brings together EU member states and candidate countries should look at new ways to strengthen political, economic, and security cooperation among democratic nations. To have teeth, it should have a clear strategy with measurable deliverables. Marshall European Center for Security Studies, Europe’s Futures Fellow at the IWM ViennaĪny platform that strengthens the European community is a good idea. Chair of the Strategic Initiatives Department, George C. Its accession would signal respect for democracy and for territorial integrity. Kosovo is the only European democracy not yet part of this institution. This could be achieved by all EU members declaring that European democracies, once they met the demanding conditions, could join the European Single Market, with full membership following once the EU is prepared for more members.Īnother meaningful initiative would be to commit to the quick admission of Kosovo to the Council of Europe. It could be revived by establishing a credible, reachable interim goal. However, calls for EU reform before any further enlargement and proliferating bilateral vetoes have broken this process. Here are two suggestions: Increased engagement with Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia and the West-Balkan-6, including on energy and security, is best achieved through a meritocratic EU accession process.

The success of the EPC is more likely if the initiators offer a few concrete ideas. Kristof Bender - deputy chairman of the European Stability Initiative (ESI) and Europe’s Futures fellow at the IWM Vienna: Therefore, we ask several European policy experts the question: What difference can the European Political Community make? Art: Pawel Kuczynski © Visegrad Insight, War and the Future of Europe report, September 2022
#Unrealistic optimism could best be described as an driver#
Without Russia on board, Europe does indeed need a new security architecture, which became a powerful driver for new forms of integration on the continent as explained in the United European Patchwork scenario from the most recent foresight report by Visegrad Insight. However, should Britain confirm rumours to host the next summit, the EPC could become a key instrument in London’s European policy after Brexit.

Sceptics point to the past failed attempts to bring about more political unity on the continent beyond the EU.Įditor’s Pick: War and the Future of Europe The meeting will host 44 leaders of European countries including Britain, Turkey, Norway and Ukraine, and its agenda is unspecified. On 6 and 7 October, the first European Political Community event will take place in Prague. What difference can the European Political Community make?
