About: Visegrád Group

MEPs hope to break deadlock on migration reform

Reaching a common EU response to the long-running migration crisis has been painfully slow. Ministers remain deadlocked on plans to reform the so-called Dublin Regulation that sets out the EU’s common migration and asylum rules.

Austrian experts: Central Europe is the future of Europe

The relations of the Visegrád Four with many EU countries, as well as with Brussels, are currently very tense. Despite some differences of opinion, Austria is endeavouring to establish a good neighbourhood policy. EURACTIV Germany reports from Vienna.

Austria opts for dialogue with the Visegrád four

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is an irritation to many EU politicians. However, it is becoming clear that the new Austrian government relies on dialogue and wants to fulfil a "bridging function". EURACTIV Germany reports from Vienna.

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.

Migration row mars EU summit, exposes divides

EU leaders ended the first day of the end-of-year European Council summit with no sign of tensions thawing amid recent disagreements on migration, which have once again exposed divides between eastern members and 'old Europe'.

Polish judges call for solution without EU sanctions

Reunited in Paris, Polish judges opposing the justice reforms started by Warsaw ask for a solution to the crisis without Europe’s intervention. EURACTIV France reports.

MEPs: European funds for poorer member states must not diminish

Negotiations are beginning on the future of the European budget, which also includes funds financing cohesion policy. Meeting in Strasbourg, MEPs agreed they should not be reduced. Aktuálně reports.

Katainen: For cohesion as well as migration, solidarity is not a one-way street

Commission Vice-President Jyrki Katainen reminded the Visegrád countries today (28 March) that the solidarity they expect from the EU’s cohesion policy also applies to the refugee crisis.

Czechs before Rome: No to multi-speed, yes to common defence

EU leaders are going to meet in Rome on Saturday (25 March) to discuss the future of European integration. The Czech Republic is still not sure what to do. EURACTIV.cz reports.

Two-speed Europe highlights East-West divide

The consensus reached at Monday’s Versailles summit (6 March) on the need to construct a two-speed Europe risks reigniting tensions between the EU’s eastern and western member states. EURACTIV France reports.

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.

Visegrád Group spells out its vision of EU’s future

The leaders of the Visegrád Group (Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary) adopted yesterday (2 March) a joint statement on their input to the Rome Declaration, which will be adopted at the summit in the Italian capital on 25 March.

Refugee relocations very far from target, Commission admits

Member states have relocated only a small fraction of the 160,000 asylum-seekers they committed to absorbing from Greece and Italy, the Commission admitted today (2 February).

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.

Visegrád and migration: Few prospects for a change in position

With Slovakia handing over the EU presidency to Malta and agreement on a new EU asylum system out of sight, the Visegrád Group remains in opposed to compulsory refugee relocation. EURACTIV Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Poland, and Budapest's Political Capital, report.

Juncker promises Bulgaria aid to strengthen border with Turkey

Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker told Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov in a letter seen by EURACTIV that he is aware of the “fragile situation” of the country and that considerable support for the consolidation of the country’s border will be made available.

Tsipras to ‘upgrade’ ties with Sofia after Turkish turmoil

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras will focus on energy, transport infrastructure and migration, as he today (1 August) seeks to strengthen ties with Bulgaria and stabilise south eastern Europe after the failed coup attempt in Turkey.

Orban blames Brexit on Commission’s migration policies

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said on Friday (24 June) that British voters who opted to leave the EU were dissatisfied with Union policies dealing with the migration crisis.

Slovak presidency ‘will work for overcoming East-West divide in EU’

The upcoming Slovak presidency of the Council of the EU has overcoming the fragmentation in Europe as one of its main objectives, Slovakia´s State Secretary for European Affairs Ivan Korčok told a small group of journalists today (12 May).

Austria buries hope for EU response to refugee crisis

Tensions reached a boiling point between the European states worst affected by the refugee crisis ahead of a meeting of Balkan states in Vienna today (24 February), as new figures showed no let-up in the influx of asylum seekers.

Cameron demands 13-year ban on EU migrant benefits at summit

British Prime Minister David Cameron told EU leaders on Thursday evening (18 February) that the ‘emergency brake’ to stop EU migrants claiming in-work benefits - a major condition for his support for the UK staying in the bloc - should last for up to 13 years.

EU warns UK deal ‘fragile’ as Paris, East seek changes

A draft accord to help keep Britain in the European Union is "very fragile", a top EU official warned yesterday (10 February) as France and eastern states pushed for changes before leaders meet to try and seal the deal next week.

In-work benefits emerge as main stumbling block ahead of Brexit summit

Most of the Union’s members have reservations with regard to the possible limitations of in-work benefits for EU workers in the UK, contained in the proposals from Brussels to address David Cameron’s demands ahead of the Brexit referendum. The EURACTIV network reports.