Oxfordshire is to take centre stage as around 45 European leaders converge on Blenheim Palace on Thursday 18 July to discuss some of the most pressing generational issues facing Europe - from ensuring international support for Ukraine, to illegal immigration and security cooperation. The Prime Minister will welcome leaders from across the continent to Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Winston Churchill and UNESCO World Heritage Site, for the European Political Community (EPC) meeting. It will be the largest European diplomatic gathering the UK has hosted in decades.
Blenheim Palace, which was used by MI5 from 1940 to 1945 after their headquarters was damaged in the Blitz during the Second World War, has been transformed to accommodate more than 450 delegates and over 1,000 journalists. Hundreds of volunteers from across Government and officers from 40 police forces across the country have converged on the county and will support the delivery of the UK’s biggest international event of the year.
The UK government will use the Oxfordshire summit to discuss closer collaboration to tackle illegal immigration and greater security cooperation with European counterparts to keep Britain safe. Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, said: “Blenheim Palace is a huge part of our history - the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill and the temporary headquarters for MI5 during the Second World War – and I am honoured to host the European Political Community meeting here. From produce to architecture, this is a great opportunity to showcase the beautiful Oxfordshire countryside on the world stage.”Sustainability is at the heart of summit planning, with 80% of the fruits and vegetables being served to delegates coming from Blenheim’s gardens
