About: Visegrad
‘Low hanging fruit’: Eastern EU states eye existing gas network for hydrogen
Existing gas networks should be repurposed to transport hydrogen and help boost demand, said Michał Kurtyka, Polish Minister of Climate and Environment at an online event about hydrogen in Central and Eastern Europe on Friday (12 February).
Viktor Orbán under fire as virus second wave bites
As the second coronavirus wave bites, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán -- who shut the borders in September -- is holding back on tougher measures such as a lockdown, despite growing criticism of his response.
ECR puts forward Czech MEP as their Spitzenkandidat nominee
Czech MEP Jan Zahradil will be the lead candidate of the European Conservatives and Reformists Group (ECR) to run for the presidency of the next European Commission, party chief Syed Kamall announced on Tuesday (13 October).
Hungary, Poland challenge EU’s posted workers reform in court
Hungary and Poland said on Thursday (4 October) they have gone to the European Court of Justice to challenge tighter European Union rules on the employment of workers from low-pay EU states.
Visegrad’s place in the next EU Budget
Vladislava Gubalova argues that Visegrad countries should not be considered as having caught up with older EU members, while taking aim at Sofia for attracting too much financing.
BMW to build €1 billion car factory in Hungary
BMW will invest 1 billion euros ($1.17 bln) to build a new plant in Hungary at a time when a rise in protectionism is forcing carmakers to curb inter-continental exports and to refocus production networks to serve regional trading blocs.
Analyst: Visegrád Group’s anti-European course is anti-Ukrainian
Relations between the Visegrád countries and Ukraine have deteriorated in recent years. But from the point of view of ordinary Ukrainian citizens, Central and Eastern Europe is still a very attractive model, especially in the economic sense, analyst Kateryna Zarembo told EURACTIV.pl.
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).