Sánchez participates in the sixth meeting of the European Political Community in Albania on Friday

Eduardo González The Albanian capital, Tirana, will host the sixth meeting of the European Political Community (EPC) on May 16. Spain will be represented by the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez. The meeting will focus on European security and democratic resilience, including Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine; competitiveness and economic security; and the challenges of mobility and youth empowerment. The Summit, an initiative launched in 2022 by French President Emmanuel Macron to strengthen cooperation and partnership among all countries on the continent, brings together the leaders of the 27 EU countries and twenty other European countries, including Ukraine, Armenia, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Kingdom, Serbia, Kosovo, and Azerbaijan, bringing the total to 47. The first Summit was held in October 2022 in Prague, and subsequent summits took place in Moldova, Spain (specifically in Granada, in October 2023, within the framework of the Spanish Presidency of the EU Council), the United Kingdom, and Hungary. In this sixth edition, convened under the motto "A new Europe in a new world: unity – cooperation – joint action," the EU will be represented by the President of the European Council, António Costa, who will co-chair the meeting with the Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama. This will be the first time the CPE meets in the Western Balkans, which "represents not only a symbolic recognition of Southeast Europe's place in the European political fabric, but also a strategic investment in its role in shaping the continent's future," the organizers stated in a press release. Discussions will take place in 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 quest for a just and lasting peace, and longer-term challenges, such as safeguarding democratic processes from foreign interference and strengthening Europe's collective defense capabilities. The second roundtable will examine how to enhance competitiveness and economic security, focusing on innovation, digital infrastructure, energy resilience, and the strategic autonomy needed to secure critical supply chains and balance climate objectives with industrial strength. The third session will address 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 militarization of migration and the challenge of retaining talent in national economies, leaders will explore coordinated solutions based on partnership and foresight. This conversation will also examine the role of the next generation in shaping Europe's future, particularly 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," the press release continues. "As a NATO member, an EU candidate country, and an active voice in regional cooperation, Albania is uniquely positioned to convene a meaningful dialogue at a time when Europe must speak and act with greater cohesion," it adds.

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