Rasi: V4 Has Potential to Regain Former Strength

Bratislava, 26 October (TASR) - The Visegrad Four (V4) group (the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia) has the potential to get back to the level of performance and strength that it enjoyed several years ago, said House Chair Richard Rasi (Voice-SD) during the opening of a meeting of EU affairs committees from V4 parliaments in Bratislava on Monday, adding that the four countries should focus on areas of common interest. "We've managed to reach consensus on shaping the V4's entire programme by defining priorities in areas of common interest," said Rasi, who also highlighted the V4's potential to promote common positions at European level. Slovakia has set four priorities for its V4 presidency - competitiveness, EU enlargement, sectoral cooperation, and interpersonal relations. As for competitiveness, Rasi drew attention to the position of the European economy. "Unfortunately, we're at a stage at which Europe cannot cope with the pressure of Asian economies, nor can it cope with the measures introduced by the Trump administration," he said. According to him, a joint course of action by the V4 countries is also important with respect to other European issues. Regarding EU enlargement, he stressed the need to advance the Western Balkan countries' integration process. As for Ukraine and Moldova, he said that Slovakia's approach is that these countries should comply with the same conditions that other member states have had to meet. Furthermore, he also sees scope for cooperation in the areas of energy, migration and transport. The EU Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028-2034 is another area of shared interest for the V4 countries, said Rasi, adding that there's consensus primarily with regard to cohesion policy and the Common Agricultural Policy. Monday's meeting of the V4 parliaments' EU affairs committees is structured around three thematic panels, with delegations set to discuss V4 cooperation amid political changes, ensuring affordable energy, and the future of people and families in the V4, with a focus on demographic resilience. The meeting is expected to conclude with the signing of the Bratislava Declaration. jrg/df