European Political Community meets in Dublin: what the ninth EPC summit is and who attends

Leaders from across Europe gather in Dublin on Thursday, 12 November 2026, for the ninth meeting of the European Political Community (EPC), with the Irish government as host. According to the Irish presidency page for the event, the meeting takes place at the Convention Centre Dublin and is organised by the Department of the Taoiseach.

Ireland’s official EPC website says more than 50 European heads of state or government are expected, together with the leaders of key European and international institutions. The overarching theme is “Europe – strong, secure and connected”, and the talks are meant to cover economic, political and security challenges of shared concern.

An informal forum with no binding decisions

The EPC was set up in 2022 after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Its first meeting was held in Prague on 6 October 2022. According to the Irish government, it brings together the leaders of all EU countries and of countries in the wider European neighbourhood, along with the heads of the European Commission, the European Council, the European Parliament and other multilateral organisations. Greece, as an EU member state, is among the participating countries.

The format is deliberately loose. The forum meets twice a year, holds plenary sessions and leaves room for bilateral and multilateral meetings on the sidelines. The Irish government states plainly that “no binding decisions are taken”. Its stated purpose is to foster political dialogue and cooperation on issues of common interest and to strengthen the security, stability and prosperity of the continent.

Where the summits have been held

The Dublin meeting follows a series that has moved around the continent: Prague (October 2022), Bulboaca in Moldova (June 2023), Granada (October 2023), Blenheim Palace in the United Kingdom (July 2024), Budapest (November 2024), Tirana (May 2025), Copenhagen (October 2025) and Yerevan in Armenia (May 2026), according to the Irish government’s account.

What follows on Friday

The EPC meeting is paired with a second event. The Council of the European Union has announced, in a media advisory published on 11 November, that an informal meeting of EU heads of state or government will follow in Dublin on 13 November. The Irish presidency page also lists that meeting separately.

The official pages consulted for this article do not publish a detailed agenda or a list of individual leaders attending, so no further programme details can be confirmed at this stage.