During a discussion panel “A View from Central Europe: Future of the EU,” V4 foreign ministers talked about the need to make the EU more effective and resilient in crisis situations. “Poland’s vision of the EU is a very simple one: we want a strong Union of strong member states supported by effective European institutions, based on the principle of equality, subsidiarity, and proportionality. To this end, however, it is essential that the interests and sensitivities of all member states should be taken into account,” Minister Rau said. He also pointed to the importance of developing the single market, eliminating barriers and strengthening the EU’s industrial base, the potential of the digital market, and solidarity in energy and climate policy from the perspective of enhancing resilience and preparing the EU for future crises.

The ministers also discussed the concept of the EU’s strategic autonomy and its role in the debate on Europe’s future. “EU’s strategic autonomy must be rooted in transatlantic relations. We cannot talk about the need for strengthening the EU’s strategic autonomy and at the same time let ourselves be even more energy-dependent on Russia. We should concentrate on our neighbourhood and show that as the EU we can pursue effective policies, whether towards the eastern dimension or enlargement and the Western Balkans,” emphasised Minister Rau.

As Poland’s Visegrad Group presidency is coming to an end, the chief of Polish diplomacy presented a brief summary of the V4’s activities over this period. “Today we can already say that in spite of the extraordinary circumstances caused by COVID-19, the V4 has remained active and developed concrete initiatives in many areas, from the fight against COVID-19 to Eastern policy to infrastructure issues,” he stressed.

 

MFA Press Office

Photo: Gabriel Piętka / MFA

Photo gallery