V4 Parliamentary Meetings in Bratislava to Address EU's Current Challenges

Bratislava, 6 November (TASR) - The competitiveness of the European economy, energy security, the European Union's (EU) enlargement policy and negotiations on the EU's Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028–2034 will be high on the agenda of two international parliamentary meetings due to be held at Bratislava Castle on 12 and 13 November. House Chair Richard Rasi (Voice-SD) will first welcome representatives of the parliaments of the Visegrad Group (V4) countries (Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland). The following day, a special meeting in the expanded V4+ Friends of Cohesion format will bring together parliamentary representatives from 17 EU countries, the Parliament Office's communications department has informed TASR. Both events are part of the parliamentary dimension of Slovakia's V4 presidency, which runs from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027 under the slogan 'V4 for a Stronger Europe'. The House chair pointed out that the four priorities of Slovakia's presidency are competitiveness, including energy and negotiations on the future European budget; EU enlargement; practical sectoral cooperation; and the involvement of young people. "Visegrad cooperation makes sense when we're able to jointly address issues that people can feel in their everyday lives. Affordable and secure energy supplies, the future of the automotive industry and the preservation of jobs in our region are precisely such issues," stressed Rasi. In this context, he highlighted the need for realistic European rules that take into account the specific characteristics of national economies and technological neutrality and enable Europe to maintain competitive industrial production. The second session on Thursday (12 November), titled 'EU Enlargement Policy', will focus primarily on the European prospects of the Western Balkans and opportunities for national parliaments to share their own experience with European integration. "The session will also feature a presentation of the Slovak V4 presidency's Youth Initiative, which aims to bring together young people working with the national parliaments of the V4 countries and to create opportunities for their long-term cooperation," said Rasi. The V4 meeting will be followed, on Friday (13 November), by a gathering of parliamentary speakers in the V4+ Friends of Cohesion format. "The discussions will focus on spending priorities and the rules governing the use of European funds, including the proposed national and regional partnership plans, as well as fair budget financing and the distribution of the financial burden among member states," elaborated Rasi. ko/df