Main Talks at V4 Presidential Summit Begin at Trencin Castle

Trencin, 5 November (TASR) - The main talks at the Visegrad Group (V4) presidential summit began at Trencin Castle on Thursday morning. Czech President Petr Pavel, Polish President Karol Nawrocki and Hungarian head of state Andras Baka arrived in Trencin at the invitation of Slovak President Peter Pellegrini. The summit is being held in an expanded format, with the participation of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The beginning of the main talks in the 16th-century castle barracks building was preceded by a welcome ceremony in the courtyard of Trencin Castle. The talks will be followed by a working lunch at the Renaissance-era Cannon Bastion. The heads of state will discuss EU enlargement as a key prerequisite for the continent's stability and security. The situation in Ukraine is also on the agenda, with particular focus on the protection of civilians and critical infrastructure, diplomatic efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace, and the country's post-war reconstruction. The presidents will also address issues such as affordable energy, industrial competitiveness and a secure future for the region. The summit will focus on areas of shared interest and on ways in which the V4 countries can strengthen their position and advance common priorities at the European level via closer cooperation. The participation of the EC president also provides an opportunity to discuss these priorities in a broader European context. This approach builds on the programme of Slovakia's V4 presidency, which began on 1 July. Under the slogan 'The V4 and a Stronger Europe - Together for a Stronger Europe', Slovakia is seeking to revitalise Visegrad cooperation and strengthen the region's position in Europe. The heads of the four states will present the outcomes of the summit at a joint press conference due to begin at 2.30 p.m. on Thursday. The two-day summit will conclude with a visit to the revitalisation project of the old Fiesta railway bridge, which serves as a tangible example of European cooperation in the region. ko/df