ČT24 | V4 summit in Prague brought questions about the groups' necessity

The new Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk came to the Prague V4 summit asking whether the Visegrad group is still relevant. Cooperation on a high political level is complicated by the countries' different approaches towards the war in Ukraine. While the Czech Republic and Poland continue to support its interests with the same intensity, Slovakia and Hungary are reassessing them. Martin Vokálek, Executive Director of the EUROPEUM Institute, talked about the importance of the summit and the relations between Poland and the Czech Republic for ČT24.

Donald Tusk sees the Czech Republic as a close ally of Poland, mainly thanks to our common interest in supporting Ukraine. However, from the point of strategic importance, the Czech Republic is not one of the main allies for Polands' future direction. Tusk is focused on restoring the Weimar Triangle - an alliance with Germany and France - to strengthen Poland as a major player. This does not mean that Poland would turn away from the Czech Republic, but unfortunately it means that the Czech Republic is secondary in Donald Tusk's focus. However, this meeting also means that there is a great interest on the part of both the Czech Republic and Poland to maintain these relations.

You can watch the interview here. (from 13:00 minute)

Martin Vokálek
Executive Director

Expertise: Economic issues, European security and NATO, war crimes and international law problematic