The Slovak Republic is taking over the presidency of the Visegrad Group (V4) starting Wednesday, with leadership set to run until June 30, 2027. According to Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, Slovakia’s priorities will include strengthening the European Union’s competitiveness, coordinating common positions on the EU’s new budget, supporting EU enlargement, and enhancing practical cooperation in sectors such as defence, migration control, healthcare, and transport, as well as strengthening people-to-people contacts. Fico also stressed the need to reduce EU electricity prices and ensure a fair approach to EU expansion.
Slovakia plans to continue supporting the Visegrad Fund and introduce a “V4+” format by inviting non-member countries to summits, potentially starting with Ireland. Parliamentary Speaker Richard Raši emphasized the importance of unity among V4 countries, saying they should “pull together in one direction” to advance shared interests and be able to promote policies that benefit their countries while also participating in major European projects.
Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár described the group as a “living” platform ready to act as a stronger voice for the region, its citizens, and shared national interests, adding that Slovakia’s presidency will focus on strengthening cooperation, advancing common EU positions, and expanding partnerships through the V4+ format.
A ceremonial concert will be held at Bratislava Castle on Wednesday to mark the start of Slovakia’s presidency, attended by the country’s three highest constitutional officials.
The Visegrad Group is an informal alliance of Slovakia, Czechia, Hungary, and Poland. It was founded on February 15, 1991, through the Visegrad Declaration signed in Hungary by the then presidents of Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and Poland. It is based on geographic and historical proximity and long-developed cooperation in culture, education, science, politics, economy, and society, and currently represents nearly 65 million people across the four countries.
Source: TASR
