V4 gives region stronger position in EU - PM
The Polish prime minister has praised the Visegrad Group, saying that it had given its members a “stronger bargaining position” in the EU while being “an advocate of regional interests.”
In an article published on Monday in the Hungarian Magyar Nemzet, the Czech Lidove Noviny and Slovak Hospodarske Noviny newspapers, Mateusz Morawiecki also expressed his thanks to the alliance for its mutual cooperation.
The article was published to mark the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Visegrad Group.
Set up on February 15, 1991, the group, commonly known as the V4, is an informal platform of regional cooperation between Poland, Hungary and the Czech and Slovak republics. Poland is currently holding the Group's 12-month presidency.
"The strength of the Visegrad Group is revealed today through its cooperation, stronger bargaining position within EU structures, through it being an advocate of regional interests, and in presenting its strategic goals on the international arena," Morawiecki wrote.
Although not always in agreement, the V4 countries, the prime minister pointed out, had broad interests ranging from migration to the development of the single market and fighting the pandemic.
Morawiecki also stressed that the V4 founding members were driven by the desire to establish regional cooperation and the aspiration to become members of the European family.
Over the past 30 years, he continued, the V4 countries had taken huge steps forward by building economies that are now "very competitive and successful in their rivalry with western markets."
"Today, the Visegrad Group is a region of dynamic and sustainable development, which is very attractive to investors and an area that strives for creative leadership in the heart of Europe," the prime minister said. He added that the V4 was entering the new decade with its citizens, and those of Europe, expecting much from the effective cooperation that has so far served the region well.
"That is why we are boldly looking towards the future," Morawiecki wrote, reminding readers that "Back on Track" was the motto of the Polish V4 presidency. (PAP)
liv/
