Europe’s Promises Ring Hollow as Past Failures Haunt Summit

European Union leaders gathering in Romania on Thursday put a brave face on the collective failure to deliver in key areas and renewed the bloc’s dedication to unity as preparations continue for the U.K.’s exit.

In the so-called Sibiu declaration, named after the Transylvanian city where they are meeting, leaders vowed to protect “democracy and the rule of law,” even as it’s unclear that they all have the same understanding of the concepts. Poland, Hungary and Romania are being accused of undermining democratic standards, while political hurdles in a sanctions process mean that their EU peers have so far been unable to force them back into line.