About: Visegrad 4
Why Slovakia’s elections matter
Slovakia’s parliamentary elections on Saturday (29 February) are on course to redraw the country’s political map, and also its role in the European Union, writes Grigorij Mesežnikov.
Czech FM: Visegrad countries will continue to promote EU enlargement
The Visegrad countries will need some time to close the ditches they have dug in recent years, Foreign Minister Tomáš Petříček told EURACTIV.cz in an interview. He also voiced doubts about the need for a reform of EU membership negotiations, demanded by France, saying the process is already reversible at any stage.
Austria and V4 agree on everything but nuclear
The leaders of the V4 group met on Thursday (16 January) in Prague’s renovated national museum to discuss migration, border security, competitiveness, enlargement and climate. The newly appointed Austrian chancellor Sebastian Kurz, also in attendance, said he wanted to “fight”...
Visegrad 4, North Macedonia in last-ditch effort to change French enlargement veto
In a last-ditch effort on Wednesday evening (16 October) before a decisive EU summit, the Visegrad Four and North Macedonian officials tried to sway the enlargement mood in Brussels.
The Visegrad 4 and Russian pipelines: An imaginary unity
The Nord Stream II pipeline gave birth to a seemingly united front among several Central and Eastern European states objecting to the project, including Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary and Poland. That, however, is far from the truth, writes Martin Jirušek.
Four eastern EU states to discuss top jobs, keen to boost their influence
The leaders of Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and the Czech Republic will discuss in Budapest on Thursday (13 June) potential candidates for top jobs in the European Union coming up for grabs shortly, in a sign of regional coordination by the so-called Visegrad Four.
Visegrad4: From a provincial energy debate to joint action for renewables
The V4 group of countries ignores climate threats, attempts to extend fossil fuel burning, violates air pollution limits and undermines the development of renewable energies. The Visegrad+ Renewable Energy platform has been established to turn this trend around, writes Ada Ámon.
Polish expert: Article 7 is now a political matter, not a legal one
Commission Vice-President Frans Timmermans should keep away from the strained rule of law dialogue between Brussels and Warsaw, as long as he is running for a seat in the new Commission, says expert Sławomir Dębski. He spoke to EURACTIV.com about Poland's place in Europe, its relations with neighbours and security.
The awkward squad: Czech-Polish cooperation on a different EU vision
Stay in the EU or leave? According to experts, for Poland and the Czech Republic, it is important to remain in the EU, despite widespread Euroscepticism in both countries.
Mega infrastructure projects win over clean energy in Visegrad Four
In the Visegrad countries, decision makers prefer their historical favourites – coal and nuclear – to renewable sources and energy efficiency. As the Global Climate Action Summit resumes in San Francisco, it’s important to realise that corporate leadership can also shape the outlook for clean energy in Eastern Europe, writes Ada Ámon.
Visegrad plus Ukraine = V5?
Ukraine hopes that the Slovak presidency of the Visegrad group will resuscitate stalled cooperation between the group and the Eastern European country. But Kyiv still has a lot to learn about how the V4 does business, warns Hennadiy Maksak.
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.
China says 16+1 summits are good for EU
Annual summits between China and central and eastern European countries are beneficial to the European Union as a whole, the Chinese government told Bulgaria's foreign minister, brushing off concerns that Beijing is seeking to divide the continent.
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.
Slovak state secretary: I am a strong advocate for a communitarian EU
A push towards more intergovernmental decision making in the EU has never been a topic of discussion in the Visegrad format, state secretary for European affairs Ivan Korčok told EURACTIV Slovakia.
Visegrad’s timid steps on Macron’s EU citizens’ project
Three of the member states of the Visegrad group are going to take part in Macron’s citizens’ consultations project. Hungary has yet to make its decision known. EURACTIV.fr reports.
Trans-Europe Express: Mistrust is gaining ground in Europe
The wind of enthusiasm blown by the victory of President Emmanuel Macron last June has vanished. In a historic vote on Wednesday, the European Parliament rejected the innovative idea of transnational lists.
EU rebels Poland, Hungary show united front
Poland and Hungary are winning the battle against the EU over immigration, the two countries' premiers said Wednesday, with Hungary's Viktor Orban predicting "a year of great confrontations" with Brussels.
Szydlo: Poland is not going to leave the EU
"Poland belongs to the EU and the EU belongs to Poland," Prime Minister Beata Szydło affirmed as the European Union considers launching an unprecedented infringement procedure against Warsaw over the rule of law. EURACTIV Poland reports.
V4 no longer a role model for Eastern Partnership countries
Experts have warned that Visegrad countries, haunted by a wave of Euroscepticism and populism, can no longer aspire to be role models and “export” their experience with democratic transition to the Eastern Partnership countries. EURACTIV Slovakia reports.
Trans-Europe Express: Tanks against migrants
The rhetoric about sending troops to the Brenner Pass was especially reactionary. But Austrian Defence Minister Hans Peter Doskozil felt compelled to use it anyway.
Support for Lisbon Treaty was unnecessary investment of political capital
The mantra of European elites for the support of the Lisbon Treaty included greater transparency of the decision-making process. Almost ten years after signing the Treaty, Mirek Topolánek says he now knows "for sure" that his support was unnecessary.
Czech deputy PM: A ‘different’ migration is needed
We have to change NATO from a defence pact to tan offensive pact, Andrej Babiš, the Czech minister of finance, who also serves as deputy premier, told Euractiv Poland.