By Zoey
The leaders of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia signaled a renewed commitment to regional cooperation on Tuesday as they gathered in Hungary for the first summit of the Visegrád Four (V4) alliance in more than two years, marking an effort to restore unity after the bloc was fractured by disagreements over Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The meeting, held at the historic Grassalkovich Castle in Gödöllő on the outskirts of Budapest, represented a fresh start for the influential Central European partnership, which had seen relations deteriorate under the leadership of former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. His government’s pro-Russia stance and repeated clashes with European Union partners over support for Ukraine had strained ties within the alliance, particularly with Poland.
Hosting the summit was Hungary’s new Prime Minister Péter Magyar, who has made rebuilding regional partnerships a cornerstone of his foreign policy since taking office in May following his Tisza Party’s decisive parliamentary election victory.
Following a one-hour meeting with his counterparts, Magyar declared that the Visegrád alliance had regained its momentum and was prepared to play a more influential role in shaping European policy.
“The V4 is back,” Magyar told reporters. “The heart of Europe is beating in Central Europe today.”
Magyar outlined several proposals aimed at strengthening cooperation among the four countries. Among the most ambitious was the creation of a high-speed railway connecting the capitals of Budapest, Prague, Warsaw and Bratislava, a project designed to improve transportation links, expand economic cooperation and boost regional competitiveness.
The leaders also discussed ways to coordinate policies on energy security, agriculture, border protection and illegal migration, areas where the four governments have often shared common interests despite political differences on other international issues.
Since replacing Orbán, Magyar has pledged to rebuild Hungary’s relationships with its European partners while maintaining a foreign policy focused on protecting national interests through constructive engagement rather than confrontation.
His government has sought to distance itself from the diplomatic disputes that frequently placed Hungary at odds with the European Union during Orbán’s tenure. Magyar has repeatedly emphasized that Hungary intends to become a reliable partner within both the EU and regional alliances.
During Tuesday’s summit, the Hungarian prime minister also expressed support for expanding cooperation beyond the four-member group by strengthening ties with other European countries that share similar priorities.
He said he wants the Visegrád Four to become a stronger and more credible voice in European decision-making, allowing Central Europe to exercise greater influence over policies affecting the region.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk welcomed the renewed cooperation, stressing that closer coordination before meetings of the European Council would enable the four countries to present unified positions on key European issues.
According to Tusk, a revitalized V4 has the potential to become a “beacon of hope” within the European Union by demonstrating that regional cooperation can strengthen the bloc while ensuring that Central European interests receive greater attention in Brussels.
Hungary’s political transition has also resulted in notable changes to its policy toward Ukraine.
Within weeks of taking office, Magyar’s government reached an agreement with Kyiv aimed at restoring several rights for Hungary’s ethnic minority living in western Ukraine, resolving a long-running source of diplomatic tension between the two countries.
That breakthrough paved the way for Hungary to lift its veto on the European Union’s decision to formally begin Ukraine’s accession process, marking a significant departure from the previous government’s approach.
Despite the renewed spirit of cooperation, differences among V4 members remain on several important foreign policy issues.
Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico have both maintained positions broadly aligned with many of Orbán’s views regarding military assistance for Ukraine. Their governments have reduced or halted shipments of weapons and certain forms of financial support for Kyiv during its defense against Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Nevertheless, Babiš struck an optimistic tone after the meeting, saying the alliance had overcome recent tensions and was once again functioning effectively.
“The Visegrád Four is once again fully operational,” he said, adding that the partnership has an important role to play in shaping Europe’s future.
Babiš also argued that closer cooperation among the four Central European nations would strengthen the European Union by ensuring that regional concerns are better represented in policy discussions.
The Visegrád Group, founded in 1991 following the collapse of communist rule in Central Europe, has historically served as a platform for political consultation and cooperation among its four member states. Over the years, the alliance has coordinated positions on migration, border security, economic development and European integration, becoming one of the region’s most influential political groupings.
However, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine exposed deep divisions within the bloc, particularly as Hungary maintained close political and economic ties with Moscow while Poland emerged as one of Kyiv’s strongest supporters.
Tuesday’s summit reflected a clear effort to move beyond those disagreements and restore the alliance as a significant regional force within Europe.
Hungary currently holds the rotating presidency of the Visegrád Four but is scheduled to transfer leadership of the group to Slovakia at the end of the month, with Bratislava expected to continue efforts to strengthen cooperation among the four Central European nations.
Original article
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