A Central European Constellation VISEGRAD GROUP CELEBRATES ITS FIFTEENTH ANNIVERSARY Jirˇí Paroubek
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The Visegrad va Group W aa rsz a wa ha – A Central isl a t European ra Pr BB udap est International Visegrad Fund Constellation W a rsza wa ha a Pr BBratislava udap est International Visegrad Fund The Visegrad Publication Group on the Occasion of the 15th Anniversary A Central of the Visegrad Group. Edited by Andrzej Jagodziƒski European Bratislava 2006 Constellation BRATISLAVA BUDAPEST PRAGUE WARSAW of Visegrad 15 Years The Visegrad Group – A Central European Constellation 13 15 Years of Visegrad VISEGRAD GROUP CELEBRATES ITS FIFTEENTH ANNIVERSARY Jirˇí Paroubek After the fundamental changes in Central Europe at the end of 1989, it was necessary to move swiftly to get rid of the consequences of totalitarianism, to arrange the withdrawal of Soviet troops, and to quickly prepare the countries of Central Europe for membership in European and trans-Atlantic structures. One of the useful means of achieving these goals was the creation of a common platform represented by the Visegrad Group. During the initial phase of its existence, from 1991 to 1993 – when Czechoslovakia still existed – the Visegrad Group played an important role in our communications with NATO and the European Union. The process of expanding both institutions was both time-consuming and complex. It also contributed to the creation of qualitatively new bilateral relations between the countries in the Group. The ability of the Visegrad countries to cooperate and coordinate their approaches impressed the democratic countries of Western Europe. After the creation of the Czech Republic and Slovakia from the former Czechoslovakia in 1993, when the Visegrad Three became the Visegrad Four, however, that cooperation began to flag. The Czech right-wing government of the time decided that it would be most effective if each country took an individual 15 Years of Visegrad 15 Years approach to entry to Euro-Atlantic integration. That approach, however, soon proved wrong. 14 Moreover, it left the impression that the Czech Republic had no interest in developing contacts, other than strictly bilateral ones, with its Visegrad neighbours, Slovakia, Hungary, and Poland. After the Czech parliamentary elections in 1998, which brought Czech social democratic parties to power, there was a revival of the cooperation between the Visegrad states on the political level. With the entry of the Visegrad countries into NATO and the European Union, the original aims of the Visegrad declaration of 1991 were attained. All the member countries simultaneously expressed the political will to resume the positive aspects of their past The Visegrad Group – A Central European Constellation cooperation and to continue working together in that spirit in the new situation. The Visegrad Group gradually gained a very good name for itself, both in Europe and in the rest of the world. Today, it has become a respected “trademark” on the international scene, one that is sought out both to the East and to the West of “Visegrad”. At present, it can be considered the most clearly defined initiative in Central Europe. Under the Czech chairmanship, from 2003 to 2004, discussions on future cooperation were concluded. The second Visegrad declaration, signed in Kromeˇrˇízˇ in 2004, is a reflection of the situation after the entry of the Visegrad countries into the EU. Under the Polish chairmanship, the Visegrad Group intensified its foreign policy activity, and reacted quickly to political changes in the surrounding region. Observers from the V4 countries were present during presidential elections in Ukraine. The Visegrad Group expressed its support for democratic processes in that country. The present Hungarian chairmanship is working to develop the civic dimension of the Visegrad Group, and is strengthening cooperation between the various ministries inside the V4. Fears that the activities of the Visegrad Group would flag after the member countries joined the EU have proven unfounded. If we take into account meetings on all levels (from presidential meetings to the regular sessions held by various working groups) as well as projects financed by the International Visegrad Fund, at least one Visegrad event takes place every day. That is the most eloquent proof available that the Visegrad Group has not declined in significance. Today, it is no longer a matter for the political elite – practically every citizen of our country can now participate in its activities. Visegrad has in no way become institutionalized. It is based on the principle of regular meetings between representatives of the four countries, and its practical content is provided by cooperation among the various ministries. At present, there are numerous of projects under way in the areas of culture, environment, internal security, defence, science, and education. Cooperation is also flourishing in the areas of justice, transportation, tourism, energy, and information technology. One of the Visegrad Group’s most firmly established organizational structures is the International Visegrad Fund (IVF), founded in 2000 with the aim of supporting cultural cooperation, scientific exchanges, research, and cooperation in the area of education, youth exchanges, and cross-border cooperation. In the vast majority of cases, the Fund finances the activities of non-governmental organizations, lending support to the civic dimension of cooperation within the Visegrad Group. In an important activity, since the end of the previous academic year, the Visegrad Scholarship Program has awarded one-year post-graduate scholarships to students from Eastern Europe to study in the Visegrad countries. After the Visegrad countries joined the EU, the foreign policy activities of the Group increased considerably. Visegrad did not hesitate to become involved in broader forms of regional cooperation, such as the Regional Partnership (V4+2, in other words, the Visegrad countries plus Austria and Slovenia) that emerged from an Austrian initiative in 2001. Areas of common interest Jirˇí Paroubek were established, such as internal security issues, matters relating to borders, questions of asylum, Politician, economist. Member of the Czech Social Democratic Party, consular matters, cultural cooperation, and the creation of common infrastructure projects. since 2005 Vice-Chairman Since 2001 the Visegrad Group has begun to develop a relationship with the Benelux of the ˇCSSD. Minister for Regional countries. This consists chiefly of an informal exchange of opinions on current European topics, Development in Stanislav Gross government (2004–2005). as well as work on several concrete common themes, such as problems surrounding the Since 2005, Prime Minister Schengen Agreement on migration. Other contributions include inter-parliamentary contacts, of Visegrad 15 Years of the Czech Republic. exchange programs, and consultation between other institutions, or cooperation within the 15 framework of the Euro Controle Route (road traffic safety issues). During the Czech chairmanship, contacts were also established with the Nordic Council with the purpose of getting information about the Council’s experience with regional cooperation, and to compare the activities of the Nordic Council with those of the Benelux and to seek inspiration for the development of the Visegrad Group. Discussions were also initiated on cooperation with Japan, which is interested in working together in the areas of tourism and development aid, as well as on several economic matters. The Visegrad Group – A Central European Constellation The renewed circumstances in Ukraine after the presidential elections of 2004 opened up new opportunities for cooperation with this large country. In addition to the activities of the International Visegrad Fund, a cooperation is starting to take place in the political sphere as well. Julia Tymoshenko, who was then the Prime Minister of Ukraine, took part in a meeting of V4 Prime Ministers in Poland in May, 2005. Other Ukrainian representatives took part as guests in some of the deliberations of the Visegrad Group. Other activities are being prepared that should help strengthen reforms in our largest eastern neighbour. The Visegrad Group is also aiming to find ways to support the democratization process in Belarus, and has included Moldova among its priorities for 2006. The Czech Republic considers the Visegrad Group as a key element in promoting regional cooperation in Central Europe. It sees its significance in concrete projects (the introduction of Schengen standards, cooperation among ministries, strengthening relations among citizens of the Visegrad Group) as well as in political cooperation wherever the will exists. Cooperation within the V4 will help to strengthen the identity of Central Europe, and is very useful in coordinating positions on key questions on the European agenda. The potential role of Visegrad in regard to neighbouring countries that are not yet members of the European Union is not to be ignored either. Despite some differences among the countries of the V4, in general the Group enjoys a significant convergence of interests and the will to strengthen mutual ties. Our four countries already have considerable experience in the conduct of dialogue, which makes it possible for them to take common positions. This approach derives from a mutual understanding of the need to pursue individual national interests, and from complete respect for the foreign policy activities of the individual Visegrad countries. All of these factors make cooperation within the Visegrad Group a useful