About: Visegrad
Hungarian MEP: Orbán targets Soros because he is ‘the perfect enemy’
The Hungarian government found the perfect enemy it was looking for in George Soros and is using him to promote its “hate propaganda” ahead of the upcoming national election, Hungarian MEP Péter Niedermüller told EURACTIV.com
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.
Orbán calls for global anti-migrant alliance with eye on April elections
Hungarian leader Viktor Orbán called yesterday (18 February) for a global alliance against migration as his right-wing populist Fidesz party began campaigning for an 8 April election in which it is expected to win a third consecutive landslide victory.
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.
Warsaw keeps an eye on neighbouring Czech elections
Czechs will elect their new parliament on Friday and Saturday (20-21 October), with former deputy Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, an anti-migrant Eurosceptic and one of the wealthiest men in the country, set to win the most votes, according to the latest opinion polls.
Czech MEP: ‘We cannot blame Brussels for our own failures’
We have to stop the “us” and “them” rhetoric in which we blame the European institutions, says Martina Dlabajová, a Czech liberal MEP and member of the ANO movement which is heading for victory in the upcoming Czech parliamentary elections.
Orban attacks the European Court of Human Rights
Speaking today (30 March) at the annual congress of the European People’s Party (EPP) in Malta, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán fiercely attacked migration, calling it a “Trojan Horse of terrorism.” He also attacked the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).
Prominent MEP provides insight into Rome Declaration
As the Rome Declaration is finalised, Portuguese Partido Socialista MEP Maria João Rodrigues (S&D) provided insight yesterday (21 March), about what ideally should be in it, in anticipation of its unveiling.
Juncker will fight for ‘more Europe’ in post-Brexit EU
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker will support "more Europe" for all members instead of a two-speed model that would split the bloc, a senior Commission official has said, refuting previous allegations.
Visegrád readies attack against ‘double standards’ for food
The leaders of the Visegrád Group (Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary) are meeting today (2 March) in Warsaw to discuss, among other things, food quality in Central and Eastern Europe.
Letta: If Le Pen wins, it’s ‘game over’ for EU
Former Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta told an audience in Malta on Monday (27 February) that if the leader of the Front National wins the French elections, it would be "game over" for the EU. But there is a silver lining.
Frassoni: Italians believe the EU abandoned them to the migration crisis
The Italian government is not losing support because it saves refugees. It is losing support because it is not perceived to be able to convince Europe to do more, says Monica Frassoni, the European Greens co-chair.
The Brief: ‘Flexible solidarity’ is Europe à la carte
Crack open the champagne. Not to celebrate the first ever edition of The Brief. Instead, salute the birth of ‘flexible solidarity’ – the latest, ghastliest example of EU indecision and doublespeak.
Top secret: Commission lists enemies before pro-EU offensive
The European Commission identified opponents to its flagship initiatives in an internal document assessing the feasibility of bringing forward its proposals to “reunite Europe” in the aftermath of Brexit.
Orbán will tour EU capitals with ‘Schengen 2.0’ plan
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán will tour EU capitals to push for a 10-point plan for the protection of EU’s external borders and free movement within the community, dubbed ‘Schengen 2.0’.
EU eastern states ready joint response to ‘Brexit’ deal
Countries on the European Union's eastern flank will meet next week and try to provide a joint response on the recent proposal to keep Britain in the EU bloc, Hungary's Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said yesterday (4 February).
Polish extreme right bares its teeth
Polish far-right organized demonstrations on Saturday (26 September), against the background of the refugee crisis. They succeeded in holding demonstrations in several big cities, but turnout was low. EURACTIV Poland reports.
Pressure builds on Eastern Europe to accept refugee quotas
Several countries have already changed their tune on refugee quotas, while others, particularly in Eastern Europe, remain hostile to Jean-Claude Juncker's proposal. EURACTIV France reports.
Slovak PM denounces ‘fashion’ of not paying taxes
Prime Minister Robert Fico said he regrets that it has become a “fashion” in Slovakia for companies not to pay their taxes. EURACTIV.sk reports.
Czech PM condemns Swiss ‘safeguard’ on Eastern EU workers
Avoiding terms like "discrimination", Czech Prime Minister Petr Ne?as yesterday (19 April) told EURACTIV.cz that he regretted the decision by Switzerland to re-introduce an authorisation requirement for workers from the eight East European countries that joined the EU in 2004. The EURACTIV network in Central Europe contributed to this article.A militarised Visegrad group?
Poland's announcement that it will head a new battlegroup of the Visegrad Group underscores the country's military leadership in the region and is likely to pose a new challenge for Russia, argues global intelligence company Stratfor.
Prime ministers to seal North-South gas corridor
On the eve of the 4 February EU energy summit, several prime ministers will gather in Brussels to mark their agreement for the North-South gas corridor, a project aimed at removing internal bottlenecks for gas transport. The announcement was made by Commission President José Manuel Barroso yesterday (31 January).
Eastern EU joins forces to shape regional spending
The 'new' member states in Central and Eastern Europe are working together to coordinate their views on the reform of the EU's Cohesion Policy for the next seven-year period (2014-2020). Daniel Braun, a deputy minister in the Czech government, spoke to EURACTIV Czech Republic about the fruits of this close collaboration.