“The Visegrad Group has proved that we are valuable and ambitious countries which are a source of optimism in Europe, and a source of development and support for the idea of European unity and solidarity,” said Polish President Andrzej Duda
By Genc Mlloja
Senior Diplomatic Editor
Every annual ceremony for the handover of the rotating Presidency of the Visegrad Group (V4) has been a moment for its member countries to appraise what has kept their initiative innovative and affluent and to search for new ideas to promote it. Likewise every motto of the presidency’s programs of each member country has been inspired by the dominant issues of their nations and allies as well as the worldwide concerns.
In the last few months of 2020, COVID- 19 has been the ‘test of fire’ challenge towards a global crisis which will apparently remain so for the foreseeable future.
Against this ‘sunless’ backdrop Poland took over the presidency of the Visegrad Group for the sixth time on July 1, 2020 from the Czech Republic, and its program will be led by the motto ‘Back on Track’, which means a return to the path of development, return to contacts among people, and economic cooperation. This testing goal was unveiled by President Andrzej Duda while addressing the V4 summit in Warsaw on July 3, 2020, attended by the PMs of Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia, which inaugurated Poland’s rotating presidency of the group.
President Duda expressed his gratitude to the Czech presidency which, despite extraordinary circumstances caused by the coronavirus pandemic, managed to uphold high dynamics of dialogue and achieved much for the sake of the group’s common interests in the region and in the EU forum. The motto of the Czech V4 presidency (2019-2020) was “V4 for Reasonable Europe“.
V4 source of optimism in Europe
Over the past three decades, the V4 has shown on numerous occasions that it is an effective format for coordinating the partners’ efforts, as well as facilitating the promotion of regional interests and better understanding among its members, Polish President Duda said.
The Visegrad Group was founded on February 15, 1991 launching a process of creating foundations and new forms of political, economic and cultural cooperation of these countries in the altered situation in Central Europe after the fall of communism in all the countries of Eastern Europe with Albania being the ‘last domino’. Among the main targets of the project were to eliminate the remnants of the communist bloc in Central Europe, to overcome the historic animosities between Central European countries, to accomplish a social metamorphosis and to join both the EU and NATO. The 1991-2020 period has proved its worth.
“The V4 has proved that we are valuable and ambitious countries which are a source of optimism in Europe, and a source of development and support for the idea of European unity and solidarity,” said President Duda, who encouraged the V4 PMs to focus in their discussions on the next EU budget. “I believe that it is the most important task for us, considering the EU policy,” he said. “We want our region to become a development hub in Europe after the pandemic. We have strong ambitions, but also strong development needs. That’s why we want an ambitious budget that will focus on growth, on European cohesion and the implementation of major infrastructural investments that will provide a boost to the European economy also in our region.”
The Polish head of state expressed his hope that the coming year “will be marked by very good cooperation and constructive efforts made by the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Poland in order to implement the planned priorities.” He also added that he was sure the four economies would quickly return to a path of growth.
‘Back on Track’ isn’t only about economic recovery…
Poland will be chairing the V4 into the fourth decade of its existence under the motto ‘Back on Track’ as February 2021 will mark thirty years from the establishment of the Visegrad Group.
“The slogan is not only about economic recovery or a simple return to pre-pandemic projects and activities. It is about restoring mutual trust and effective solidarity in the face of unprecedented challenges and, at the same time, about rethinking Central Europe, our values, and aspirations which are in line with the new conditions,” said Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz during a webinar organized by the Polish Institute of International Affairs and the Centre for Eastern Studies on July 2.
“Signed in 1991, the Visegrad Declaration initiated closer cooperation in Central Europe. It also marked a significant step for our countries towards regaining the rightful place in Europe,” said Minister Czaputowicz, speaking about the benefits of regional cooperation.
An overview of the main elements of Poland’s V4 presidency program made by Czaputowicz revealed that as has been the case so far, the current EU agenda will feature prominently in the presidency program.
“At the same time, we would like to give a renewed impetus to relations between the Visegrad Group members. We will implement all initiatives on the basis of three main pillars: the economy and connectivity, security, and society,” said the Minister.
Actions will focus on four main goals: a strong Visegrad Group in a strong Europe, return to the normal after the COVID-19 pandemic, people-to-people contacts, as well as integration and cohesion efforts within the V4, developing cooperation in the field of digital affairs and innovation.
Speaking in an event organized by the Czech presidency of the Visegrad Group in Prague on February 27, 2020, which expressed the strong support for the EU aspirations of the Western Balkan states and especially for the opening of the EU accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia, the head of Polish diplomacy stressed that Poland along with representatives of other countries gathered in Prague overwhelmingly to support the European prospects of the Western Balkans.
Minister Czaputowicz underlined that Poland continues its widespread support for the region through permanent projects, in which his country shared its accession process experience. Among the projects there are: Enlargement Academy for Western Balkan states’ officials and expert conferences organized in Skopje, Belgrade, Tirana. Polish MFA in cooperation with the German Embassy in Warsaw organized a seminar on reconciliation for young people from the Western Balkans, Poland and Germany. Poland actively participates in EU missions and operations in the Western Balkans, both military and civilian ones: EUFOR ALTHEA in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and EULEX in Kosovo. The head of Polish diplomacy reminded that in response to the tragic earthquake in Albania, Poland declared a support of 2.7 million euro for rebuilding the country.
The spirit of Visegrad in Tirana
An event attended by President Ilir Meta, Ambassadors of Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia, Tirana’s Deputy Mayor as well as representatives of RYCO and WBF was organized in Tirana on July 3 as Poland took over the annual presidency of V4 from the Czech Republic.
Unveiling the motto of Polish presidency – “Back on track”- Ambassador Bachura noted that there was no better place to celebrate the presidency handing over than in front of a Polish Locomotive placed in Tirana in July 2018 thanks to the generosity of Hemingway Club Albania and the Municipality of Tirana. Below are excerpts of the speech of Polish Ambassador Bachura, and contributions by Ambassadors of Czech Republic and Slovakia Jaroslav Ludva and Peter Spisiak, respectively, and Albanian President Ilir Meta:
Polish Ambassador Karol Bachura: Poland is taking over the annual presidency in the Visegrad Group) from the Czech Colleagues. We will be leading the Visegrad Group into the fourth decade of its existence as February 2021 will mark thirty years from the establishment of the Visegrad Group.
The motto of our presidency is “Back on track” and what better place to celebrate the presidency’s handing over than in front of a Polish Locomotive placed in Tirana in July 2018 thanks to the generosity of Hemingway Club Albania and the Municipality of Tirana.
Regional cooperation is an important element of the Polish foreign policy. The Visegrad Group represents a crucial part of the European system of regional cooperation (similarly to the Benelux or Nordic cooperation formats). The V4 invariably constitutes an important framework of cooperation and a platform for representing the interests of the region of Central Europe in the wider international context. The political successes of the V4 include its commitment to the Eastern Partnership and its support for the countries of the Western Balkans. The V4 countries also play a role in highlighting the importance of the EU enlargement and Eastern Neighborhood policies and maintaining them high on the EU agenda.
Presidency coincides with an unprecedented crisis in the world caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic and the process of overcoming its consequences will also have a significant impact on the course of the Polish Presidency in the V4, in many areas and aspects.
V4 will need to work closely to bring socio-economic life in the region back on track. This means not only focusing on post-pandemic recovery, but also giving new impetus to improve regional cooperation by supporting people-to-people contacts between Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia after the lifting of pandemic restrictions.
V4 initiatives and activities under the Polish Presidency will be divided into three areas: economy and connectivity; security and society. In these three areas Polish Presidency has set 4 objectives: Strong V4 in a strong Europe, Return to normality, People-to-people contacts, and Digital V4 – e- V4.
V4 cooperation and coordination will concentrate on key EU topics. V4 will focus not only on areas related to counteracting the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, but also on issues vital for the region of Central Europe and the EU as a whole, such as: Brexit, MFF, Cohesion Policy and CAP, cooperation with the Western Balkan countries and the EU enlargement process, development of the Eastern Partnership and cooperation with the EU’s Eastern neighbors, climate problems, including drought and limited water resources, bio-economy and circular economy.
Key themes for V4 cooperation will also include the Digital Agenda, digitization, innovation, energy and connectivity, health, science, culture, defense and security.
It will be extremely important for V4 to work towards the closest possible transatlantic cooperation. The Polish Presidency will also pay due attention to regional cooperation under the Three Seas Initiative as a framework linking V4, the EU and transatlantic cooperation. Security cooperation will be crucial for V4. This cooperation will concentrate on developing a coherent position of V4 on key defense policy issues discussed in NATO and EU.
Uncertainty about the real progress of the EU enlargement policy will remain a challenge, potentially threatening the strategic interests of Europe, especially Central Europe. Therefore, coordinated political support from V4 to the EU enlargement process and efforts to support the pro-integration aspirations of the Western Balkans countries, will continue. Here, we will also draw on the experience of the Polish Presidency of the Berlin Process. Besides the Western Balkans the EU’s Eastern neighborhood remains significant for the V4.
The Western Balkans has a lot to learn from the V4 Cooperation Example, and they do learn. The region has taken over the “economic leg” of the V4 after all its members entered the EU. The Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) has been present in the region since 2007. The Western Balkans Fund (WBF) seated in Tirana and based on the model of the International Visegrad Fund was established 5 years ago this year and thanks to its leadership of Gj. Murra and his small but devoted staff have some remarkable results behind it and even better perspectives ahead. I hope that the need of a greater regional cooperation in the Western Balkans will eventually push the countries of the region into establishing a group similar to the V4 and help to pull together the whole region into the EU membership, thus enabling this cooperation to continue once all the 6 WB countries will become full- fledged members of the EU, just like the cooperation of V4 is strongly visible in Brussels. You can count on the help of your V4 friends in reaching those goals.
The Polish Locomotive exposed in beautiful Tirana dates back to 1951 – a year in which Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands signed the Treaty of Paris establishing the European Coal and Steel Community or the forerunner to today’s European Union. I am confident that this symbolic example of coal and steel will take you to the stations of stages of negotiations to lead you finally to your deserved destination – the European Union. To keep you on V4 track the Polish Presidency has established a “Visegrad Group Presidency Cup” which will be handed over from presidency to presidency. Next year we will pass it to the Hungarian Presidency to lead on the V4 and the V4 cooperation with Albania and the Western Balkans.
Czech Ambassador Jaroslav Ludva: As the Ambassador of the Czech Republic in Albania, I am interested in the presence of V4 in Albania and the Western Balkans. The Visegrad Group has always supported the countries of the Western Balkans on their way to Europe, and we are very pleased that during our presidency, Albania and North Macedonia have taken the first step on this path. The Western Balkans was a very high priority for our presidency. V4 supported Albania and Northern Macedonia, and in this frame we met with countries that were initially against it and we fought in Brussels.
In terms of the activities of our embassy here in Albania, we have cooperated very closely with the Western Balkan Fund, but unfortunately the most important activity, the seminar for non-governmental organizations, could not be organized due to coronavirus. The same thing happened during the cooperation with the Municipality of Tirana. Together we prepared cinema festivals for children, but even that could not be completed. That’s life! We hope that the Polish presidency will be lucky.
Slovak Ambassador Peter Spisiak: Slovakia fully supports current Polish V4 Presidency, which coincides with the 30th anniversary of the Visegrad cooperation, as well as with the 20th anniversary of the International Visegrad Fund. Progress of EU enlargement policy will remain a challenge for all of us. V4 pays a lot of attention to the integration aspirations of the Western Balkans countries. I would like to assure you that our coordinated political support will continue. Not only Albania needs the EU, but also the EU needs Albania. And V4 has always stood with Albania. After the March decision, Albanian perspective for EU membership is brighter. For the first time since Albanian independence, Albania can freely decide about its future.
The accession negotiations will be based on Albania´s own merits and progress in fulfilling the requirements for membership. Slovakia is a keen supporter of the EU enlargement. Reinforcing the credibility of this policy is one of our priorities, but that is a two-way journey, with both sides having their obligations and tasks. It is encapsulated by the principle “strict but fair”. V4 experience is an example of how strong is the transformative power of the enlargement process. It needs to be maintained, especially in Western Balkans, as a strategic investment in Europe’s peace, security and prosperity.
Visegrad cooperation demonstrates an attractive model and a positive example for other reforming states. In this regard, I would like to underline the role of the Western Balkans Fund, which is based on the experience of the International Visegrad Fund. There are a lot of similar projects in the region, but only Western Balkans Fund is unique because it stands only on its own regional legs. That embodies the spirit of Visegrad in Tirana and the region.
In May 1990, in Bratislava, in the heart of V4, Central European countries decided to cooperate more closely in order to return “Back to Europe”. Motto of Polish V4 Presidency is “Back on track”. I invite Albania to join V4 efforts and support the Polish locomotive.
Albanian President Ilir Meta: I gladly accepted the invitation of the Ambassadors of the countries of Visegrad Group to participate together in the formal transition ceremony of the Presidency of Group V4 from the Czech Republic to Poland. Economics and interconnection, security and social development are strategic priorities in this period of challenges we are going through.
I appreciate the Polish Presidency’s ambitious priorities and objectives for a strong V4 in a strong Europe, a return to normalcy, contacts between people, and a V4-e-V4 digital approach. It was very significant and meaningful the place of today’s event: the Polish locomotive on the “New Boulevard”, a gift from the ’50s, as well as the motto of the Presidency: “Back on Track” Train!
I extend gratitude for the continued support of Group V4 to the European integration processes of our region and the excellent example of cooperation that they convey to the countries of the Western Balkans.
I express the conviction that under the German Presidency of the European Union, with the support of all member states, as well as fulfilling without wasting time the conditions for the opening of negotiations, Albania will take steady steps forward in the integration process.
