Political Capital
V4 countries ambiguous about giving up health competencies to the EU
in spring 2020, the four Visegrad countries criticised the EU for not providing member states with masks and other equipment when the coronavirus pandemic started. Now they are blaming Brussels for the slow vaccine roll-out. At the same time, they h
Drafting national recovery plans: A laborious exercise for Visegrad countries
The process of drafting national recovery plans under time pressure seems to be a handful for Visegrad countries. Frequent issues include a lack of stakeholder involvement, problems with streamlining different requests and ensuring transparency in the process.
Green recovery after COVID-19: Last chance for V4 to climate transition?
The recovery of European economies after the coronavirus pandemic may become - thanks to national recovery plans financed by the EU funds - a prelude to catching up with climate goals. Are the Visegrád countries ready to seize the opportunity?
Visegrad Four want to distinguish between ‘illegal’ and ‘harmful’ content in Digital Services Act
Visegrad countries are waiting for the new Digital Services Act. According to the V4 countries, the regulation is necessary but Europe must avoid censorship and any other forms of violation of the right to freedom of expression.
Visegrad nations united against mandatory relocation quotas
When it comes to migration and refugees, the Visegrad 4 governments speak with one voice: the EU should abandon any idea of a compulsory mechanism for refugee relocation. EURACTIV's network reports.
Waste in the Visegrad Four: Poland leading the way
Despite progress in recent years, local circular economy efforts in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia are still plagued by inefficient management, cheap landfilling and problematic reporting. EURACTIV's network reports.
The Belt and Road Initiative: Visegrad Four’s Chinese dilemma
China has used the international economic crisis to elbow its way towards a dominant position on the global market. Its New Silk Road is seen as an attempt to create a massive, multi-national zone of economic and political influence, including in Central Europe. EURACTIV Poland/Czech Republic/Slovakia and Political Capital report.
V4 energy security: The land of nuclear and coal
Visegrád countries are seeking ways to ensure energy security while delivering on their climate commitments. Nuclear is seen as the ideal solution by some, with natural gas playing a limited role. EURACTIV's Central European partners report.
The V4 will never agree on Russia
It would be hard to find a political issue that divides the Visegrád group more than their opinion of the Putin regime. EurActiv Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Poland, and Budapest’s Political Capital, report.
Future EU: Does Visegrád have a plan?
In the Visegrád Group, there is a desire to both strengthen the powers of member states, but also defend the Schengen area, and the four freedoms. Unsurprisingly, talk of treaty change is in the air. Euractiv's Central European partners report.
Visegrád on Trump: Anxious but optimistic
Depending on which country you ask, in Central Europe, the new US government is either a source of unease in matters concerning Moscow or, in the case of Hungary, newfound confidence. Euractiv's Central European partners report.