V4 leaders sign declaration on better future for Europe

We don't want more of Europe but a better Europe, concurred the prime ministers of the Visegrad Four (V4) countries (the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia) at the extraordinary summit that took place in Warsaw on Thursday. The need to reform the European Union (EU) was highlighted by a joint declaration adopted earlier in the day that should form the basis for a new plan for Europe. The V4 countries want to use the declaration at the upcoming EU summit in Rome slated for March 25. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) expressed concerns that the state of preparations for the Rome summit, which will mark the anniversary of inking the fundamental EU treaties, is deplorable. "I'm worried that at this summit in Rome instead of marking the important anniversary of signing important documents and clearly saying what to do next with the EU we'll directly formulate texts, and it may happen that it won't be a vision for Europe's future, but a collection of individual national interests that won't help anyone," said Fico at a press conference following the V4 talks. According to the Slovak premier, the V4 leaders expect that by March 25 the EU will have formulated a clear text that will be agreed by all member states and that could be approved in a short time and in a festive atmosphere at the Rome summit. As for the adopted V4 declaration, Fico stated that it contains strong and positive language when looking back at 60 years of the EU's existence. "The V4 is clearly saying that we declare our joint support for the EU and that we want to develop it further. If we sometimes criticise it, it's only because we want a better EU," he said. The V4 leaders further expressed support for the internal market, but at the same time they voiced concerns over growing protectionism mainly in the field of transport and the free movement of workers. Moreover, the four premiers also concurred that the Union's foreign policy must be much stronger and more united.