4th European Political Community Summit

Following a bilateral summit meeting between the leaders of the United Kingdom and France on 10 March 2023, it was stated in the joint declaration that the EPC should focus on energy, infrastructures, connectivity, cybersecurity, countering disinformation and migration.^[1][2]

On the eve of the second EPC summit which was held on 1 June 2023, British prime minister Rishi Sunak issued a statement saying "Stopping migration and securing our borders should be at the top of the agenda for European leaders".^[3] Sunak had also caused controversy at the previous summit in Granada by demanding that the pre-arranged agenda be scrapped with the sole focus of the summit shifting to immigration.^[4]

When announcing the date of the summit, the UK prime minister Rishi Sunak added that it would focus on supporting Ukraine during the ongoing Russian invasion, tackling people smuggling and reducing immigration.^[5] In a Politico article, John Kampfner reported that Keir Starmer would maintain Sunak's agenda, including the topic of migration.^[6]

Rishi Sunak unexpectedly announced on 22 May 2024, that a snap general election would be held on 4 July 2024, just two weeks before the summit is due to take place. The Labour Party won that election and Keir Starmer subsequently became prime minister.^[7] Whilst in opposition, Keir Starmer had indicated that he would use the summit to begin establishing a “new geopolitical partnership”; Starmer's European aims include: improving the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) by renegotiating its free trade agreement terms, and rejoining the Erasmus student exchange program.^[8] Starmer has previously ruled out rejoining the European Union, the single market, or entering a customs union.^[9] Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy has stated he wants the UK and the EU to create a security pact, and for the UK to attend meetings of the EU’s Foreign Affairs Council.^[10][11] Starmer aims to use the summit to reset relations with the EU, share ideas for a new Border Command to tackle migration and to sign a defence co-operation deal with Germany, based on the Lancaster House Treaties. Starmer's aides have downplayed the chances on using the summit to renegotiate the TCA, including veterinary agreements and mobility deals.^[12]

On 15 July 2024, Bloomberg reported that British prime minister Keir Starmer will use the summit to launch a plan to tackle the shadow fleet of oil tankers Russia is using to avoid international sanctions.^[13]

The United Kingdom was announced as the host of the fourth EPC summit in October 2022.^[14]

King Charles III mentioned the UK's hosting the EPC summit as part of his speech during the 2023 State Opening of Parliament.^[15]

Preparations for the summit were discussed by the upper house of the UK Parliament on 12 December 2023. Tariq Ahmed, a minister in the UK foreign office stated that the UK views the EPC as an "important platform for co-ordination on European issues" adding that energy security, immigration and the Russian invasion of Ukraine would feature on the agenda.^[16]

The summit was initially expected to take place in March or April, however by January 2024, several European diplomats believe the UK government's refusal to rule out a snap general election this spring lies behind "delays" to an upcoming meeting.^[17] The UK government has stated that it will announce a date "in due course".^[18] On 14 March 2024, UK media reported that the summit is now planned to take place in July. This caused frustration among some of the Nordic countries who would already be on their summer holidays. Sunak aims for the summit to focus on immigration.^[19] On 19 March 2024, the UK Government finally announced that the summit would take place on 18 July, and will be held at Blenheim Palace.^[5]

In a letter from then British foreign minister David Cameron, the UK government pledged to work with European partners to promote coherence across this and future EPC summits.^[20] On 25 March 2024, British ambassador to Hungary, Paul Fox, met with Hungarian Europe minister, Bóka János, promising to promote coherence across EPC summits; Hungary is scheduled to host the following summit in November 2024.^[21] UK prime minister Rishi Sunak discussed plans and preparations for the summit with French president Emmanuel Macron in a phone call on 8 April 2024, where he stated that defending Ukraine, progressing cooperation on artificial intelligence and joint efforts to tackle illegal immigration and organized crime would be part of its agenda.^[22]

Rishi Sunak unexpectedly announced on 22 May 2024, that a snap general election would be held on 4 July 2024. The Labour Party won that election allowing Keir Starmer to become prime minister and David Lammy to be appointed as foreign secretary.

Starmer hosted Irish prime minister Simon Harris at Chequers on the eve of the summit.^[23] Starmer will host bilateral talks over dinner with French president Emmanuel Macron following the conclusion of the summit.^[24]

The summit is scheduled to take place on 18 July 2024 at Blenheim Palace in Woodstock.^[5] There is to be an opening plenary, followed by three roundtables on migration, energy and connectivity, and defending and securing democracy, before ending with a closing plenary.^[25] Swiss president Viola Amherd presented feedback from the June 2024 Ukraine peace summit that took place in Bürgenstock, Switzerland.^[26]

The schedule and agenda is as follows:^[27]

• 8.00: Arrivals and doorsteps
• 10.00: Opening session chaired by Keir Starmer^[28] with contributions by Volodymyr Zelensky^[29], Viola Amherd and Mette Frederiksen^[30][31]
• 11.30: Family photo
• 12.00: Thematic roundtables on migration, energy and connectivity, and defending and securing democracy
• 13:00: Opportunity for bilateral/multilateral meetings and lunch
• 14.45: Closing plenary
• 15:45: Reception with His Majesty King Charles III
• 16:45: Bilateral/multilateral meetings and departures

The summit is expected to be attended by the heads of state or government of the states participating in the European Political Community along with the President of the European Council and High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. The British government stated that "around 50" leaders would attend the UK EPC event.^[32] Rishi Sunak invited NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to the UK's EPC summit during a meeting in Warsaw, on 23 April 2024.^[33] On 14 July 2024, Keir Starmer announced that representatives of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and the Council of Europe will be attending the summit.^[25] Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan was unable to attend the summit due to a packed travel schedule.^[34]

Upon arrival at the summit, NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg announced plans for a new 700 personnel NATO command centre based in Wiesbaden, Germany to coordinate support for Ukraine during its ongoing invasion by Russia.^[39]

During the opening plenary session, Swiss president Viola Amherd announced that 87 countries had signed the global peace summit communique.^[40]

• European integration
• Foreign relations of the European Union
• Foreign relations of the United Kingdom
• Pan-European identity
• Politics of Europe

• UK Government: 4th European Political Community Summit
• European Council: 4th European Political Community Summit
• Press materials
• Blenheim Palace