In 2016, the Visegrad Group (V4) will celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of its founding. The world, and in particular the political map of Europe, looked quite different then and now. Nevertheless they had one thing in common: the need to strengthen mutual trust and solidarity. The fact that the Visegrad Group has chosen these two goals as a basis of its cooperation proves the timelessness of its focus. By means of the selected slogan, the Czech Presidency has decided to highlight this fact, as well as the V4’s commitment to continue these efforts.

The unique level of mutual trust within the V4 derives from an open exchange of opinions as well as from informal, multilayer contacts (established from the working level to the highest one) which may often be vitally effective. This trust bounds to be used with an emphasis on efficiency and substantiveness in carrying out the Presidency. And that is especially true at a time when not only economic but also armed conflicts have returned to Europe.

The Czech Presidency (CZ V4 PRES) aims to concentrate on keystone themes having a specific practical impact. This translates into narrowing down the agenda according to the actual objectives and needs. That is the only way to avoid the risk of exchanging the mutual cooperation quality for its quantity.

1. Togetherness – developing infrastructure among people, the key instrument in this endeavour is the International Visegrad Fund
2.  Energy  - gradual fulfilment of the project of Energy Union, as well as external dimension (East Partnership) and internal market with natural gas
3. European Neighbourhood Policy, Enlargement Policy, Transition Support and Development Cooperation – support of integration processes of East and Southeast Europe
4. Security and Defence Cooperation  - building of permanent military structure of V4, defence education and cooperation in the field of cyber security
5. Active Practising of the Solidarity Principle in the EU – coordination within EU, social dimension of European integration as well as Cohesion Policies
6. Digital agenda and Development of Infrastructure  - to strengthen cooperation,  new generation networks
7. Combating Tax Fraud and Evasion – common fight against the frauds by wider application of reverse charge

 

For more information kindly visit  www.mzv.cz/visegrad .