By Ben Kerrigan-
Uk prime minister, Liz Truss, joined leaders of over 44 countries in Prague for a historic meeting of a new political forum includes 27 members of the EU, as well as 17 other European countries not currently in the bloc, including Turkey and Ukraine discuss issues facing the whole continent.
Emmanuel Macron spoke of building a “common strategy” on Russia’s war in Ukraine, rhetoric that blends well with the rest of the European countries.
Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky spoke via video link, while Germany’s chancellor said the gathering was a great innovation.
The summit, billed as a European Political Community beyond the EU was championed by Emmanuel Macron whom Ms Truuss described as a friend, after once stating that she wasn’t sure whether France was a friend or not.
Before the gathering, Truss said: ”Today’s meeting is not an EU construct or an EU alternative. I am very clear about that. It brings together governments from across Europe, around a third of whom are outside the EU. A post-Brexit Britain, as an independent country outside the EU, should be involved in discussions that affect the entire continent and all of us here at home. We are taking part as an independent sovereign nation, and we will act as one.
‘Brexit was never about the UK stepping away from our proud and historic role as a leading nation in the region and beyond. We always believed we would find new ways of working that reflected our shared values and interests.
‘So I welcome the opportunity to work with leaders from across the continent in this new forum. But this must not cut across the G7 and Nato, and it must not be a talking shop. I want to see concrete action and delivery on three key priorities.
Ms Truss spoke about ensuring that Putin is defeated, stating that ”his attempts at mobilisation and annexation are a show of weakness’. Ukraine’s counter offensive is succeeding, and Russia’s will is fracturing, she said. This is the moment to redouble our resolve. The UK is sending £2.3 billion of military support to Ukraine this year — and we will match or exceed that next year”.
She vowed to urge my European friends to continue to work with us in providing more weapons, imposing more sanctions, and backing Ukraine in pushing Russian forces out.
The Prime Minister and the President discussed advancing bilateral cooperation in particular on energy. They reaffirmed their belief that both renewable and nuclear energies are part of consistent strategies to achieve energy
The leaders committed to advance and increase UK-France civil-nuclear cooperation, including on innovation, infrastructure development and workforce skills, ahead of next year’s UK-France Summit.
They also agreed to deepen cooperation on illegal migration within the bounds of international law, to tackle criminal groups trafficking people across Europe, ending in dangerous journeys across the Channel. Interior Ministers should conclude an ambitious package of measures this autumn. Leaders agreed to reinforce cooperation with near neighbours, including through an early meeting of the Calais group.