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On 16 May 2025, Albania will host the sixth Summit of the European Political Community (EPC) in Tirana, convening 47 Heads of State or Government alongside the Heads of key European and international institutions. This will be the first time the EPC meets in the Western Balkans—a moment of historic significance both for Albania and for the region as a whole. It marks not only a symbolic recognition of Southeast Europe’s place within the European political fabric but also a strategic investment in its role in shaping the continent’s future.
The Tirana Summit takes place at a time when Europe finds itself at a critical inflection point. A war persists on its eastern flank. Tensions are rising globally. Hybrid threats, economic coercion, and technological disruption are testing democratic resilience and demanding more coordinated European responses. In this context, the European Political Community stands out as a vital forum for unity–one that transcends institutional boundaries and brings together the entire family of European nations to exchange ideas, confront shared challenges, and chart a collective course forward.
Building on the momentum of previous summits in Prague, Moldova, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Hungary, the EPC in Tirana will serve as a platform for open political dialogue and concrete cooperation. The agenda will reflect the issues most urgent to European citizens today, while also offering space to look ahead with clarity and ambition.
Discussions will take place across three high-level thematic roundtables. The first will focus on Europe’s security and democratic resilience, addressing both immediate imperatives—such as supporting Ukraine in its pursuit of a just and lasting peace—and longer-term challenges, including safeguarding democratic processes from foreign interference and reinforcing Europe’s collective defense capabilities. The second roundtable will examine how to enhance competitiveness and economic security, with a focus on innovation, digital infrastructure, energy resilience, and the strategic autonomy needed to secure critical supply chains and balance climate goals with industrial strength.
The third session will tackle the complex dynamics of migration, mobility, and youth empowerment. From the need for legal pathways and cooperation with countries of origin and transit, to the weaponization of migration and the challenge of retaining talent across national economies, leaders will explore coordinated solutions rooted in partnership and foresight. This conversation will also consider the role of the next generation in shaping Europe’s future, especially in light of artificial intelligence and the accelerating pace of technological change.
Albania’s role as host reflects the country’s deepening European vocation and its growing contribution to regional and continental stability. As a NATO member, EU candidate country, and active voice in regional cooperation, Albania is uniquely positioned to convene meaningful dialogue at a moment when Europe must speak and act with greater cohesion.
The EPC Summit will unfold in the heart of Tirana, in Skanderbeg Square—a space where Albania’s history and modern identity converge. Framed by institutions of culture and governance, the square embodies the country’s democratic transformation and forward-looking spirit. It stands today not only as a landmark of national renewal, but as a fitting meeting place for open dialogue, shared aspirations, and a stronger, more united Europe.
• Previous Summits
The idea of a “European Political Community” was initially put forth by French President Emmanuel Macron during his address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg on May 9, 2022.
President Macron stated: “This new European organisation would allow democratic European nations to find a new space for political cooperation, security, cooperation in energy, transport, investment, infrastructure, the movement of people.”
The first meeting of the European Political Community brought together leaders from across the continent in a spirit of unity in Prague on October 6, 2022. Two issues dominated the leaders’ discussions: peace and security, especially Russia’s war in Ukraine, and the energy crisis.
June 1, 2023 – The second meeting of the European Political Community was held at Mimi Castle in Bulboaca, Moldova, where leaders discussed joint efforts for peace and security, energy resilience, and connectivity and mobility in Europe.
October 5, 2023 – Granada, Spain, was the site of the third meeting of the European Political Community. There, leaders discussed ways to make Europe more resilient, prosperous, and strategically important in global affairs.
July 18, 2024 – At the fourth meeting of the European Political Community at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom, leaders reaffirmed their continued support for Ukraine. The meeting focused on energy and connectivity, security and democracy, and migration.
November 7, 2024 – The fifth meeting of the European Political Community was held in Budapest, Hungary, focusing on Europe’s security challenges in the context of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the ongoing escalation in the Middle East.
Leaders also addressed irregular migration and aspects related to economic security, connectivity in energy, transportation, IT and global trade, EU-US relations in the context of the recent US elections.
