Differences remain between the Visegrad Group countries, but there is agreement on two issues: Russian aggression against Ukraine is a violation of international law, and Ukraine needs help and we must provide it, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said in Prague.
The Visegrad Group (V4) summit was held in Prague with the participation of the Prime Ministers of Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary: Donald Tusk, Petr Fiala, Robert Fico and Viktor Orban. The topics of the talks included energy security, the EU’s strategic agenda and the prevention of illegal migration.
At the joint press conference of the prime ministers, Fiala admitted that there are differences between the V4 countries and that “these differences remain and are publicly known.”
At the same time, we have managed to establish that there are certain issues on which we can reach consensus, and that there are issues on which our countries can work together (…). There is agreement among us (…) on the subject of Russian aggression in Ukraine on two issues: first, that Russian aggression constitutes a serious violation of international law, a position shared by all four of our countries. The second point on which we agree is that Ukraine needs help, and we must help Ukraine
Fiala said.
We will participate in the aid – we, all four of our countries. However, we have a difference of opinion and it is an open secret what form this aid from the individual countries should take
– the Czech Prime Minister admitted.
As he said, Poland and the Czech Republic also provide military aid, while Slovakia and Hungary do not participate in such aid.
However, these two countries are ready to provide support with humanitarian, financial and other forms of assistance
– took note of the Czech Prime Minister.
He added that he does not deny that the V4 countries also differ on what caused Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and how to resolve this issue.
Fiala added that all countries are convinced that the EU’s common agricultural policy must be changed and that they must cooperate on energy. Another common point he mentioned was the fight against illegal migration.
Tusk: It is possible to establish at least piecemeal joint work to help Ukraine
I think it is possible to establish at least piecemeal joint work to help Ukraine, with perhaps different approaches to the matter, but I hope that after our discussion the support for Ukraine will be clearer – said Prime Minister Donald Tusk after the meeting of the V4 government leaders.
At Tuesday’s press conference in Prague, where the Visegrad Group (V4) summit was held, the Polish Prime Minister emphasized that he was “at the birth” of this group and that it was of exceptional importance to him. He judged that it had “extremely solid foundations” and that there was a common resistance to the Soviet empire “at its birth”.
Tusk emphasized that the V4 countries are united by history, extraordinary solidarity between the nations that form the country and the fundamental European values they profess, and that freedom, human rights, the rule of law and independence of states were the key words when it was established.
He also noted that he was also concerned about the group’s present and future.
I care about this very much, and in a few months I will take over the presidency of the Visegrad Group from Petro (Fiala) so that we can all remember with such tenderness what its basis was.
– said the Prime Minister. He emphasized that current Prime Minister Viktor Orban said in 1989 that he would like to vote for a government whose first task would be to remove Soviet troops from Hungary and Budapest, and he recalled these words.
We all had similar dreams then and I hope nothing serious changed in us. Today our actions in the EU are a test of our cooperation, because we do not need to assure ourselves of the friendship between our nations; that is clear and well established.
– he emphasized.
However, we must determine our common interests in more difficult circumstances. What is the basis of the Visegrad Group, what we wrote in our heart in our statement – this should apply to our common policy towards Ukraine
– added.
He emphasized that within the V4 “there are slightly different approaches” to this issue.
But we talked about how we can work together to help Ukraine as a victim of a Russian attack. After this conversation, I think it is possible to build, at least partially, such a joint work to help Ukraine, with perhaps different approaches to the issue, but I hope that after our discussion the support for Ukraine will be clearer.
– Tusk pointed out.
He pointed out that within the V4, all prime ministers have the same opinion that Brussels “must collectively ensure that helping Ukraine does not mean losses for our economy, and especially for our agriculture.”
It is better for Poland, and I think it is better for the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia, if the Visegrad Group is as united as possible. Today it may be more difficult than before, but I would like us to work together to ensure that at least some of the issues are included on our common agenda, and after today’s meeting I am moderately optimistic.
– said the head of the Polish government.
Orban: This summit has convinced me that the Visegrad Group is alive
Tuesday’s group summit convinced me that the Visegrad Group is alive and active and that we can accept our differences; Hungary is still willing to continue this cooperation, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said in Prague.
The Visegrad Group Summit was held in Prague with the participation of Prime Minister Donald Tusk and the Prime Ministers of the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary: Petr Fiala, Robert Fico and Viktor Orban. The meeting was dedicated to migration and energy issues.
At a joint press conference after the meeting, Prime Minister Orban said that although he had participated in 52 Visegrad Group summits so far, Tuesday’s talks were among the most difficult. He emphasized that V4 was historically founded to defend the common interests of its members and a stronger voice in the European Union.
Today’s meeting convinced me that Visegrad is alive and active and that we can accept our differences. Hungary remains willing to continue this cooperation
– he declared.
Referring to the war in Ukraine, Orban noted that while the V4 countries “have different approaches to the war,” they also share common positions.
We agree that Ukraine needs to be helped and helped; this is the right approach
– added.
Seen from Hungary, there is another special aspect. Hungary no longer wants a common border with Russia. We used to have such a common border and these memories are not good
– he emphasized.
We want an entity to stand between us and Russia, and that is why we are helping Ukraine
– noted the Head of the Hungarian Government.
Orbán emphasized that Hungary’s position has not changed. He added that the country does not send weapons or troops to Ukraine, but is able to provide humanitarian aid, send doctors to operate on the battlefield, help refugees and rebuild Ukrainian infrastructure.
Listing other issues on which there is agreement between the countries, the Hungarian Prime Minister recalled the common opposition to illegal immigration, as well as the issues of relocation of immigrants raised in the EU, where “we look forward to cooperation in the future.” Orban also mentioned a similar position on agriculture and energy security, of which nuclear energy is a key element.
Fico: I don’t believe we should support Ukraine militarily
I don’t believe we should support Ukraine militarily; I believe we should support peace talks, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said after the V4 summit in Prague.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Donald Tusk will pay a one-day visit to Prague, where he took part in the Visegrad Group summit together with the prime ministers of the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary – Petr Fiala, Robert Fica and Viktor Orban.
At the joint conference, Slovakia’s prime minister emphasized that Tuesday’s meeting was “extremely important” for the future of the Visegrad Group. He also presented Slovakia’s position on the war in Ukraine.
I don’t believe we should support Ukraine militarily; I believe we should support peace talks
– he declared.
However, there is no doubt that this war will end in a few years; we may no longer be active in politics, but I am convinced that the Visegrad Group will still be important.
– added.
He stressed that the V4 countries face challenges in regional cooperation, including: the issue of EU enlargement, which will have a huge impact on agricultural policy and the budget.
These are topics that we must discuss and look for solutions that are good for us and for those who want to join the EU, such as Ukraine.
– he said.
He added that we should also discuss EU reforms.
We have countries that do not like smaller countries having a different opinion than the majority and there are plans to ban the veto power of such countries. I think we all agree that the veto should remain
– he emphasized.
He added that the topic of migration was also discussed during the meeting. He noted that the position on the migration pact is similar, as is the position on agricultural products from Ukraine.
He also admitted that there were also discussions about who should become the EU Commissioner for Defense.
We want to help Ukraine, but not through actions that will harm the economy, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said at a press conference after the Visegrad Group summit in Prague.
We want to help Ukraine (…), but we cannot do that with methods that are fatal for entire economic areas. It’s not just about grain
– said Tusk at the conference after the Visegrad Group (V4) summit in Prague, which was also attended by the heads of government of the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary.
We can’t leave them alone
– said Tusk when asked about the situation of farmers.
He added that the objectives of the European Green Deal are indisputable, but some of them are very difficult for Polish farmers.
The Prime Minister also announced the maintenance of the embargo on Ukrainian grain and even the extension of the embargo to other products.
Tusk emphasized that the Polish border with Ukraine is the European border.
We want to protect our producers, we must also protect the European market
– he emphasized.
tkwl/PAP
Source: wPolityce
Emma Matthew is a political analyst for “Social Bites”. With a keen understanding of the inner workings of government and a passion for politics, she provides insightful and informative coverage of the latest political developments.