The European Political Community – a wildcard for a transition period

The jury is still out on the EPC. Its origins lie in geopolitics as much as in integration policy. Its purpose is not clear, its record is mixed at best, and its future depends on how much political commitment EU actors invest in the project. It is a wildcard or flexible reserve for a transition period. As long as the EPC does no harm – to other institutions and political processes, namely EU enlargement – and as long as invited heads of state and government attend the summits, it is a unique opportunity to meet informally on an equal footing and sort out issues that concern the emerging security order in a Europe of confrontation. Therefore, and considering France’s stakes in the EPC, Germany should play a constructive role in this format.