Prime ministers from the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia convened in Hungary for the first summit of their regional alliance in over two years. The meeting signaled a reboot of the Visegrád Four group, aiming to repair fractured relations and present a united front in European decision-making.
The revival of the Visegrád Four alliance under new Hungarian leadership could reshape regional dynamics and influence European Union policy, particularly concerning energy, agriculture, immigration, and the bloc's approach to Eastern European security.
The prime ministers of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia met in Hungary on Tuesday, signaling a revival of their Visegrád Four (V4) regional alliance. The summit, held at the Grassalkovich Castle in Gödöllő, was the first for the group in over two years, aiming to repair relations that had fractured due to Hungary's previous pro-Russian stance under former leader Viktor Orbán, particularly concerning the war in Ukraine.
Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar, who took office in May, hosted the meeting and emphasized the importance of revitalizing the V4. Following a one-hour discussion, Magyar announced a proposal for a high-speed rail line connecting the four countries' capitals. The leaders also addressed common ground on energy security, agricultural policy, and illegal immigration.
Magyar stated, 'The V4 is back,' and expressed a desire to expand cooperation to make the group a strong and credible voice in European decision-making. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk echoed this sentiment, suggesting the V4 countries should coordinate their positions before European Council meetings to influence EU policies.
The election of Magyar's center-right Tisza party marked a policy shift for Hungary, including agreements with Kyiv on minority rights and lifting Hungary's veto on starting Ukraine's EU membership process. Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, both allies of Orbán, have previously reduced or cut aid to Ukraine. However, Babis expressed optimism about renewed V4 cooperation, declaring the group is 'once again fully operational.' Hungary currently holds the V4 presidency and will transfer it to Slovakia at the end of the month.