The initial aim of the group, which became a four-member community after the split of Czechoslovakia, was to enhance the facile integration of the members into the EU and the NATO, to quicken their accession towards democracy and market economy, and to boost multilevel relationships in the region.

To achieve these main aims, after the 2004 expansion of the EU, the V4 countries, now full EU and NATO members, renewed their cooperation. Their goals became the assistance of the economic catch-up of the region, the joint enforcement of their interests in foreign and EU policies, and simultaneously the building of connections among societies and the improvement of the global transparency of the region.

Prime Ministers of the Visegrad Gruop in Warsaw, on 16th July 2016
(Photo: P. Tracz / KPRM)

The flexible, informal cooperation concentrates on shared interests and values. The governmental and other institutions of V4 states and their leaders coordinate and share their experiences, plans and standpoints, thus forming together even the decision-making within the EU. Besides foreign policy (e.g. the support of EU expansion) and the important elements on the EU agenda (e.g. cohesion policy, migration, agrarian issues, economy, energy and climate policy), topics about science, innovation, infrastructure, cross-border cooperation, defence, taxation, customs and environmental protection are all present in the agenda of the Visegrad Group. V4 countries play a more and more significant role in the representation of regional interests during debates about the future of the EU.

Another important aim of the Visegrad Four is to familiarize the societies of their member states with the idea of regional cooperation. This initiative is promoted by the International Visegrad Fund, created by the four governments in 2000, which also supports the V4 Cycling Race. The Fund sponsors cultural, scientific, educational, touristic and other projects together with mobility grants, thus assisting the strengthening of the relationships between the citizens and institutions of the region. The V4 Group has extended the activities of the Fund towards the Balkan, Eastern-European and South-Caucasian countries, thus contributing to the democratic change of these regions and to their approximation to EU standards.

Related links:
Homepage of the Visegrad Group
Homepage of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade