Britain has announced that the next meeting of the European Political Community will take place on July 18, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak set to host leaders from approximately 50 countries at Blenheim Palace, an elegant 18th-century country mansion located northwest of London and famously known as the birthplace of Winston Churchill.
The gathering, deemed as a crucial forum for cooperation across Europe, will address pressing issues that impact security and prosperity across the continent. Prime Minister Sunak highlighted the importance of the meeting in addressing shared challenges, including extending support to Ukraine and combatting the issues of people smuggling and illegal migration.
The European Political Community was initiated by French President Emmanuel Macron in 2022 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which significantly disrupted Europe's security landscape. Previous summits of the forum have been held in Prague, Czech Republic; Chisinau, Moldova; and Granada, Spain.
This upcoming meeting provides Britain with the opportunity to participate in a Europe-wide political gathering despite its withdrawal from the European Union in 2020. The delay in confirming the date for the gathering had sparked speculation about a potential spring or summer election, as Prime Minister Sunak is expected to call a national vote in 2024, likely in the latter part of the year.
