Dublin summit shows why Europe needs shared diplomatic architecture

The ninth European Political Community (EPC) summit convened at Dublin’s Convention Centre on Thursday, hosted by Taoiseach Micheál Martin in what marks the largest diplomatic undertaking in Irish history.

The gathering coincides with intense international diplomatic activity on European soil. US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Dublin following two days of talks in Abu Dhabi, before travelling to Moscow to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin. Zelensky has noted that a window of opportunity could emerge to end the war before 2027.

Sceptics may argue that wide forums like the EPC lack binding decision-making mechanisms and risk acting as mere backdrops to traditional power diplomacy.

Yet bringing European leaders together provides an essential framework for strategic alignment. When continental leaders gather regularly, Europe can anchor critical security conversations on home ground rather than leaving its diplomatic response divided among 27 separate capitals. Shared dialogue ensures the continent engages external partners with unified authority.

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Drafted with AI, edited by the editor.