Strengthening the Visegrad Group and defending the region's interests

The V4 summit, held at the invitation of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, was attended by Donald Tusk together with the prime ministers of Czechia, Andrej Babiš, and Hungary, Péter Magyar, as well as the Irish Taoiseach, Micheál Martin. Dublin currently holds the presidency of the Council of the EU.

"In these difficult times, it is important that we consult within groups that have ambitious goals, clearly defined interests and the intention of building European unity," the Prime Minister stressed.

Poland, Czechia, Slovakia and Hungary are strengthening the standing and effectiveness of the Visegrad Group, giving it new momentum and greater weight, to the benefit of our countries and the entire EU.

"Thanks to the V4, this region of Europe became part of the EU. We achieved that because we knew how to define our interests, explain them and, when necessary, fight for them," Donald Tusk explained.

Poland is currently paying hundreds of millions of zlotys to keep its eastern border sealed. That is why the EU's future budget and policies must take into account the efforts of countries that protect the Community's external border.

"Today nobody talks about illegal migration on the eastern border anymore. Do you know why? Because we have cut illegal crossings from nearly 20,000 a month to almost zero," the Head of Government explained.

Poland and the V4 will also not accept proposals from EU institutions or other member states that could worsen the energy situation. Lowering energy prices in the region remains the priority.

"We will block anything that exposes us to the risk of more expensive energy. For the entire European Union, this is a matter of survival," the Prime Minister declared.

The EU must pursue its policies responsibly, taking into account their impact on the European economy and security. Protecting the climate remains an important goal, but protecting the Union's industry and borders matters just as much. Only this approach will allow the EU economy to stay competitive.

"We can forget about competing with China or the United States if our energy prices stay where they are now," Donald Tusk explained.

The Prime Minister expressed hope that solutions developed in Poland and across the region will become an example for other European countries. This applies to migration policy, among other things, but also to many other areas in which the V4's experience can serve as a reference point for the entire EU.

V4 acts together again: prime ministers on the EU budget, migration and security

Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin stressed that the European Union faces a difficult period in the coming months, making agreement on the EU budget as soon as possible one of the most important tasks.

"Europe needs a forward-looking budget, so that we can tackle the challenges before us and make this policy a success," said Micheál Martin.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico announced that in the EU budget negotiations, the V4 countries will seek to maintain adequate funding for cohesion policy and the Common Agricultural Policy.

"The Visegrad Group is alive again and once again able to express a common position," Robert Fico stressed.

On the fight against illegal migration, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš said the V4 region is the most promising of all Europe's regions, with security playing a key role in it.

"Each of our countries decides for itself who will live and who will work here," Andrej Babiš explained.

Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar stressed that the Visegrad Group's strength lies in focusing on what unites its members and on areas where they can jointly represent their interests.

"I am convinced that a strengthened V4 will once again work effectively, and all of Europe will feel the benefits of this cooperation," Péter Magyar argued.

The meeting of V4 heads of government in Bratislava confirmed that the Visegrad Group intends to pursue its interests jointly on issues key to the region and the entire European Union.