by Zhao Jiasong, Zhang Zhaoqing, Gao Wencheng
DUBLIN, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- Two days of high-level meetings in Dublin brought European leaders together to discuss the Ukraine conflict, regional security and artificial intelligence (AI), as Europe seeks a greater say in decisions affecting its future.
The ninth European Political Community (EPC) summit on Thursday, attended by around 50 leaders, was followed by an informal European Union (EU) leaders' meeting on Friday. The gatherings produced an agreement on Europe's representation in Ukraine peace talks, while questions over AI investment remained unresolved.
IRELAND TAKES CENTER STAGE
The Convention Centre Dublin, overlooking the River Liffey, hosted the largest gathering of heads of state and government ever held in Ireland, with leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
For Ireland, which holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU in the second half of 2026, the meetings offered an opportunity to strengthen its diplomatic ties and raise its profile in Europe.
In an editorial on Friday, The Irish Times described the summits as an important investment in Ireland's influence within the EU, noting that face-to-face diplomacy remained valuable even when major decisions were not expected.
The meetings also brought unprecedented security measures. More than 5,000 Irish police officers were involved in the operation, while road closures and transport restrictions disrupted daily life in Dublin.
Meanwhile, protests took place across the city. On Thursday evening, around 1,000 pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched towards the National Gallery of Ireland, where European leaders were attending a dinner. Some protesters also voiced concerns over Europe's growing military spending and Ireland's traditional neutrality.
The Irish Times noted that the security operation caused considerable public disruption, raising questions about the costs of hosting such large gatherings in the city center.
UKRAINE TOPS AGENDA
Ukraine remained the main political focus of the two days, as renewed U.S.-mediated talks involving Russia and Ukraine brought questions about Europe's role in peace negotiations to the forefront.
At Thursday's summit, Zelensky described recent talks in Abu Dhabi as "serious, not empty," citing progress on a prisoner-of-war exchange. He urged European countries to secure a regular place in negotiations affecting their security.
On Friday, European Council President Antonio Costa announced that EU institutions and five countries from the Coalition of the Willing, namely Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Poland, would form Europe's negotiating team.
EUobserver noted that the decision largely formalized an existing arrangement rather than creating a new negotiating structure. The question of appointing a single European envoy remained open.
In an analysis published Saturday, The Irish Times said Europe's expected inclusion in the next round of talks represented progress, but major questions remained over its representation and Ukraine's future financing.
The newspaper also pointed to the difficulty of reaching agreement within the EU, where decisions on financial support and broader security arrangements still require further negotiations.
EU leaders are expected to return to Ukraine's financing needs at their next meeting on Nov. 26 and 27, while territorial disputes and security guarantees remain unresolved.
AI AMBITIONS FACE PRACTICAL CHALLENGES
Artificial intelligence took center stage on Friday as EU leaders held their first in-depth strategic discussion on the technology, joined by Mistral AI chief executive Arthur Mensch and Nobel Prize laureate Geoffrey Hinton.
Macron called for faster decisions and greater investment. He announced that he and Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten would convene a meeting of European technology leaders, known as "Tech Creators," in Paris on Dec. 2.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen outlined plans for seven AI gigafactories, expected to mobilize around 30 billion euros (33 billion U.S. dollars) in investment. She also estimated that Europe would need at least 500 billion euros (550 billion dollars) to advance its broader technological ambitions.
But the meeting produced no new binding financing commitments. French newspaper Le Monde reported Saturday that the AI gigafactory plan remained stalled, with its future closely tied to negotiations over the EU's next long-term budget.
The Brussels-based Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS) has also raised concerns about the strategy. In a study, it found that many planned AI facilities were located outside established research and innovation centers, while heavy reliance on foreign chip suppliers could create new technological dependencies.
The Financial Times noted that Europe was already benefiting from some AI-related investment and industrial activity, but its gains in productivity remained modest.
The assessments suggest that funding alone may not be enough to address Europe's technological weaknesses. Infrastructure, industrial development and access to advanced technology also remain important challenges.
Costa said EU leaders would revisit AI in February 2027, leaving major investment and policy decisions for future meetings. ■