The recent Meeting of the European Political Community and the Informal meeting of heads of state or government held in Granada, Spain, aimed to address critical issues such as security, immigration, and enlargement. While the European Union sought to demonstrate unity and enhance its influence, the meetings also exposed some internal challenges. During the two summits, EU leaders highlighted the myriad new challenges and crises facing the political and economic landscape. Issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, energy security, cyber threats, and the Ukraine crisis were underscored as challenges too significant for any single country to tackle alone. The EU emphasized the need for a strategic, collective approach to address these challenges. The Granada Declaration, issued during the informal summit, outlined agreements among EU member states to strengthen defense capabilities, enhance resilience and global competitiveness, build a more cohesive and innovative single market, diversify supply chains, and foster partnerships. The EU leaders acknowledged the importance of this declaration as a crucial starting point, with ongoing discussions expected to shape future strategic directions. Despite previous assertions that the European Political Community Leaders’ Meeting would serve as a vital platform to address regional conflicts, tangible outcomes were not achieved in resolving disputes, such as facilitating talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan or easing tensions in Kosovo. The mechanism proposed by French President Macron in May 2022 to establish a European Political Community aimed to provide a new space for political cooperation between EU and non-EU countries. However, its objectives and role remain unclear, and some leaders did not view it as a suitable forum for dialogue.

Critics labeled the one-day meetings as mere “flash shows” lacking institutional depth, with an unclear role in existing structures like the EU, NATO, and OSCE. The challenge lies in determining whether this mechanism can genuinely enhance regional policy coordination without replacing existing frameworks. Enlargement emerged as a contentious topic during the summits, with concerns raised by some EU member states about the economic burden of accepting countries with lower average GDP into the union. Disagreements also surfaced on crucial issues like budget structures, European Parliament seats, decision-making reforms, and the timeline for enlargement. Achieving a consensus on responsible enlargement and addressing the impact on existing member states became imperative. Deep divisions among EU member states on immigration nearly derailed the Granada Declaration. Poland and Hungary strongly opposed reforms to the European immigration system, viewing them as imposing “mandatory quotas.” The final resolution omitted the migration issue, with EU Council President Michel issuing a separate statement on immigration. To fulfill the goal of collectively addressing new challenges, the EU must navigate and resolve the revealed issues. Managing internal divisions, clarifying the role of the European Political Community, and strengthening relations with the external world are crucial steps toward strategic autonomy and playing a pivotal role in a multipolar world. The resolution of these challenges will undoubtedly test European nations’ political wisdom and determination.

By Jiashun TANG