Mohan Sinha
13 Nov 2026

DUBLIN, Ireland: Dublin is hosting one of the largest diplomatic gatherings in Irish history, with more than 50 European and international leaders arriving for the ninth European Political Community (EPC) summit.

The meeting marks the biggest logistical challenge of Ireland's European Union Presidency and is taking place under tight security, with major traffic restrictions across the capital.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin welcomed delegates as they arrived at the Convention Center in Dublin.

The summit comes amid heightened security concerns following recent bomb threats against several Irish media organizations, including RTÉ, as well as threats targeting European airlines such as Aer Lingus and Ryanair.

Although no conclusive evidence has emerged, there are suspicions that the threats may be linked to Russia's wider campaign of hybrid warfare against European countries supporting Ukraine.

In September 2025, before the previous EPC summit hosted by an EU member state, Copenhagen Airport and several Danish military bases were targeted in a series of unexplained drone incidents.

The Dublin meeting has brought together more than 50 leaders from EU and non-EU countries, representing nations across Europe, from Iceland to Armenia. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte are also attending.

The EPC was established in 2022 following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron proposed the format to provide a platform for EU and non-EU leaders to discuss common security, energy and political challenges.

Initially, the initiative was criticized as a talking shop because its meetings do not produce formal agreements, action plans or joint statements. EU candidate countries were also concerned that the forum could become another waiting room for nations seeking full membership.

However, the format has gradually gained importance. Carney attended the summit for the first time in the Armenian capital, Yerevan, in May.

The informal nature of the meetings allows leaders to discuss shared concerns and exchange experiences on issues such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine, migration, cyberattacks, and rising energy costs linked to the war with Iran.

Previous meetings have also helped improve diplomatic relations. The 2024 summit at Blenheim Palace in Britain created goodwill to improve relations following Brexit, while the meeting in Budapest gave European leaders an opportunity to prepare for the incoming Trump administration in the United States.

The forum also offers opportunities for private bilateral discussions on difficult regional disputes, including tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Turkey and Cyprus, and Serbia and Kosovo.

Several prominent leaders are absent from the Dublin meeting. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is attending the COP31 climate summit in Antalya, while Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is campaigning ahead of a snap election scheduled for this month. Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever is occupied with budget negotiations at home.

Despite these absences, the summit has attracted a large gathering of senior political figures seeking to address challenges facing Europe.

Sébastien Maillard of Chatham House said the current international situation made such meetings particularly important.

"Times of trouble require new opportunities for privileged dialogue," he said.

Maillard added that the EPC provided a broader platform for discussions across the continent, from Iceland and Greenland to Britain and Turkey, regardless of whether countries were EU members.

The war in Ukraine, now into its fifth year, is expected to dominate the discussions. The summit is taking place amid renewed diplomatic efforts by the Trump administration to restart peace negotiations.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the opening plenary session alongside Taoiseach Micheál Martin and European Council President António Costa. They were the only three leaders to address the session directly.

Zelensky briefed fellow leaders on the latest developments in peace negotiations involving U.S., Russian, European, and Ukrainian delegations. The two-day talks in Abu Dhabi concluded on November 11.