[Lukas Müller, Shongjog columnist]
The European Political Community (EPC) summit took place in Budapest this past October. Lucas Dupont’s recent Op-Ed, published by Oped Column Syndication, offers a timely and thought-provoking analysis of the summit.
This commentary aims to very briefly discuss the key takeaways from Dupont’s analysis, including the EPC’s role in fostering cooperation among European nations and the future of European political integration.
Under the leadership of Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, the summit marked a critical juncture in Europe’s geopolitical and security evolution, underscoring the growing desire among European leaders for a more self-reliant continent.
At the heart of Orbán’s vision was a call for Europe to reduce its dependence on the United States and take more responsibility for its own defense. As he pointed out, the war in Ukraine, rising tensions in the Middle East, and ongoing migration crises highlight the urgent need for Europe to strengthen its sovereignty and strategic autonomy.
These issues, alongside the increasingly fragmented economic landscape, have prompted European leaders to reconsider the continent’s future role in a multipolar world.
Orbán’s stance reflects a wider sentiment shared by many in Europe: that the continent’s security and geopolitical interests may no longer always align with those of the United States, particularly as Washington shifts its focus toward the Indo-Pacific region. This evolving dynamic has exposed vulnerabilities in Europe’s security architecture and NATO’s capacity to manage complex, transnational threats.
In this light, Orbán’s push for greater European self-sufficiency resonates as a response to a perceived imbalance in the global order—one where Europe must chart a more independent course.
The European Political Community, which seeks to foster dialogue and cooperation among nearly 50 European nations, serves as a crucial platform for this shift. Formed in 2022, the EPC is not just a space for EU members but also includes non-EU countries like Albania, which aspires to join the EU by the end of the decade.
The inclusion of such nations is part of a broader strategy to integrate Europe more comprehensively, strengthening political and economic ties across the continent while addressing issues like migration and security.
Prime Minister Edi Rama of Albania, speaking at the summit, highlighted the EPC’s growing importance as a forum for candid discussions on sensitive issues. For countries like Albania, Kosovo, and others in the Western Balkans, the EPC represents both a platform for greater political cooperation and an avenue for eventual EU accession.
The importance of this initiative cannot be overstated, as it provides a foundation for Europe’s internal unity and a collective response to the challenges posed by geopolitical instability.
Despite the emphasis on security and sovereignty, Dupont astutely notes that economic cooperation remains a key component of these discussions. Orbán’s remarks on the future political landscape in the United States indicate that European leaders are not only reflecting on military concerns but also on how Europe’s policies must adapt to Washington’s changing priorities.
The potential shift in Europe’s stance on the war in Ukraine, favoring diplomacy over military escalation, suggests that European leaders are increasingly inclined to assert their own preferences in matters of global conflict.
The Budapest summit, however, was not just a conversation about security. It was a reflection of Europe’s efforts to manage a delicate balance between independence and maintaining longstanding alliances.
The EU’s future, as Dupont suggests, hinges on its ability to forge greater unity internally while fostering external partnerships with both member and non-member states.
The path to greater European autonomy is far from straightforward. Achieving a cohesive and self-sufficient Europe will require not only overcoming internal divisions but also navigating the complexities of external alliances.
The EPC, with its broad and inclusive structure, may just offer the right platform to facilitate this delicate balance, encouraging dialogue and cooperation among Europe’s diverse political landscapes.
The EPC summit in Budapest encapsulates Europe’s growing desire to assert itself on the global stage, balancing sovereignty with cooperation. As Dupont’s analysis suggests, the vision articulated by Orbán and echoed by other European leaders may set the stage for a more self-reliant Europe in the years ahead—one that is better equipped to address the challenges of an increasingly fragmented world.
Whether this vision can be fully realized will depend on Europe’s ability to unify internally and assert its interests externally, walking a fine line between independence and alliance in an unpredictable global landscape.
Shongjog 