The Czech Republic has taken over the presidency of the Visegrad group (V4) from Slovakia as of the 1st of July, for the period from July 2019 to June 2020
15.07.2019 / 05:45 | Aktualizováno: 18.07.2022 / 13:46
The slogan of the presidency is V4 for Reasonable Europe. The program for the presidency looks beyond just Europe itself. In its entirety, the program is very extensive and can be divided into 3 themes.
1) Reasonable solutions (priorities: deepening the European Single Market and maintaining the four freedoms, supporting European integration of West Balkan countries and the pro-European inclination of the countries of the Eastern Partnership, cooperation in defence, and relations within the V4.)
2) Revolutionary technologies (priorities: science, research and innovation, artificial intelligence, small and medium-sized business etc.)
3) Reconciling approaches: (priorities: negotiations about the future EU Multiannual Financial Framework, migration and asylum policy, energy, and infrastructure).
The entire program is available here. It goes without saying that the coordination of a unified approach abroad is an integral part of V4 cooperation.
In the vast regions of Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific states who are accredited to the Embassies of the V4 countries in Canberra, the Czech presidency will above all address the areas where a united approach amongst the member states can bring better visibility and results than if each country were to approach them individually.
Our presidency will be about more than just political coordination with our partners, but will also celebrate the revolutionary changes which our countries all went through in 1989, will involve the arranging of events to support tourism to the V4 countries as part of the program “Discover Central Europe”, as well as cooperation in the area of the cultural presentations of Central Europe. Together, we want to focus on the fields of research and innovation, artificial intelligence, smart investment, and even security matters, including protection against terrorism and cyber threats. Last of all we would like to coordinate our activities on the Pacific island states. We will be gradually informing you about the preparation, developments and outcomes of the Czech presidency of the Visegrad group on our web page.