scholarly journals Migration Crisis - A Main Priority for the Fifth Polish Presidency of the Visegrád Group

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 194-199
Author(s):  
Diana Ivanova
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
The Future ◽  
Migration Crisis ◽  
Visegrad Group ◽  
Visegrád Countries ◽  
The Eu

Abstract The migration crisis and related challenges for the future of the Schengen area are some of the main problems facing the EU. The opinion of the Visegrad Four on this issue, however, seriously differs from that of Brussels. Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia are firmly against the quota principle in the allocation of migrants. The aim of this article is to present the migrant crisis as a top priority during the fifth in the history Polish rotating presidency of the Visegrad Four - from July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017. This objective will be realized through the implementation of basic tasks - analysis of the documents adopted at the forums of the organization, and the views of leading politicians from the Visegrad countries

scholarly journals Perspectives for German-Polish Relations in the EU-27

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 37-50
Author(s):  
Christian Schweiger
Keyword(s):  
Sovereign Debt ◽  
Eurozone Crisis ◽  
The Future ◽  
Angela Merkel ◽  
Migration Crisis ◽  
Visegrad Group ◽  
Governance Architecture ◽  
Visegrád Countries ◽  
The Eu

In recent years the seemingly firm historical ties between Warsaw and Berlin have become increasingly strained. This results from a growing political asymmetry between the two countries. Germany moved into a semi-hegemonial position under the conditions of the triple crisis of banking, economy and sovereign debt in the eurozone. Consequently, German chancellor Angela Merkel was in a strong enough position to implement ordoliberal reforms of the eurozone’s governance architecture, which were promoted as an approach without alternatives. Merkel maintained her uncompromising stance during the migration crisis in the summer of 2015, when she demanded implementation of compulsory migrant distribution quotas across the EU. Poland and the Visegrád countries had initially strongly supported German leadership in resolving the eurozone crisis. The alienation from Germany’s European agenda however became significant under the conditions of the migration crisis. Here the firm opposition of Poland and the rest of the Visegrád Group towards Germany’s preferences shows a strategic mismatch between the EU’s liberal core, which is spearheaded by Germany, and the concept of the “illiberal” state, which Poland has embraced under the PiS government. The willingness to resolve these differences will be crucial in determining the future shape of Polish-German relations.

Eastern EU members hedge bets after Brexit vote

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Member States ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Eu Member States ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Migration Crisis ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Visegrad Group ◽  
The Eu

Subject Reactions to Brexit among eastern EU member states. Significance Leaders of the Visegrad Group (V4) of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia have called for a major institutional overhaul of the EU following the UK vote to leave the EU ('Brexit'). They singled out the EU's handling of the migration crisis as a key factor behind the 'Leave' victory in the UK referendum, and rejected calls from Brussels and several member states for closer integration, instead demanding that powers be repatriated to national capitals to restore citizens' trust and make the EU more democratically accountable. Impacts The V4 will seek to mend relations with Berlin, in the relatively favourable political constellation in Germany before the 2017 elections. V4 governments will aim to hold 'mini-lateral' consultations with the United Kingdom on the terms of its planned exit from the EU. Brexit will dominate Slovakia's EU presidency, with V4 coordinating their responses to help limit the negative fallout for the region.

scholarly journals The Visegrad Four in Times of Crisis

2021 ◽  
Vol 104 (4) ◽  
pp. 37-46
Author(s):  
Anna Chetverikova ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Economic Crisis ◽  
Future Development ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Economic Issues ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
The World ◽  
Visegrad Group ◽  
Trade And Investment ◽  
The Eu

The article contains an analysis of the Visegrad Group’s approaches to the world financial and economic crisis of 2008 and the pandemic in 2020. The reasons which determined the increase of the Four’s importance in the EU during periods of global distress for a number of economic indicators are outlined. Special attention is paid to the economic dynamics of Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic in 2020 in comparison to the time of crisis of 2008-2009 and to the factors influencing the response of countries to the complementary economic issues. The transformation of trade and investment relations within the Visergad Group during the crisis periods is considered. The reasons for changes inside the group are identified. The conclusion is drawn that external challenges cause the weakening of relations within the Four in several areas; the Visegrad market can not fully play the compensatory role for its members in emergency conditions. However, the opportunity for expanding relations within the Group in the future is not excluded. The results of the experts’ survey on the attitudes of the Four during periods of external challenges, relations within the Visegrad Group and directions for future development are presented.

scholarly journals Quo vadis, V4? What is the potential of the Czech Republic to promote its interests within the framework of the V4?

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 (56) ◽  
pp. 255-279
Author(s):  
Zbyněk Dubský ◽  
Kateřina Kočí
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Central European ◽  
Future Role ◽  
Quo Vadis ◽  
Positive Input ◽  
Visegrad Group ◽  
Regional Grouping ◽  
The Eu

The original purpose of the Visegrad Group (VG or V4 – which includes Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia) was primarily to support its member states’ accession to the EU and NATO, which it successfully achieved. However, the views on the current cooperation of four Central European countries differ. Some researchers believe that the V4 has transformed since 2004 into a viable project which has become even an inspirational model of cooperation for other regional groupings. According to them, and contrary to doubts about the continuation of the V4 project, membership of the EU has given the V4 a new impulse, and its agenda has been expanded into new areas of cooperation which included EU affairs. Therefore, the V4 operates now as a distinct regional grouping within the EU (i.e. positive input regarding their commitment in several Council presidencies). Others, however, suggest that V4 cooperation seems to be labelled as a defensive project, a coalition within the EU, which is against something (recently the prominent topics have revolved around migration issues) and that it could lead to the marginalisation of the group and thus reduce its importance at the EU level. While discussing the future role of the V4, the article will focus on the Czech Republic, and its potential to promote its interests within the framework of the V4, especially in the context of its current presidency (from 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2020).

scholarly journals Clustering Analysis of Energy Consumption in the Countries of the Visegrad Group

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (18) ◽  
pp. 5612
Author(s):  
Michał Gostkowski ◽  
Tomasz Rokicki ◽  
Luiza Ochnio ◽  
Grzegorz Koszela ◽  
Kamil Wojtczuk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cluster Analysis ◽  
Czech Republic ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Energy Absorption ◽  
Economic Transformation ◽  
The Other ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Visegrad Group ◽  
The Eu

The main purpose of this paper is to assess energy consumption with a breakdown into main sectors of the countries that belong to the Visegrad Group. The specific objectives aim to determine changes in energy absorption, its productivity, structure by sectors and to show the similarities of the Visegrad Group countries to the other EU states in terms of the sectoral energy absorption structure. All members of the Visegrad group, i.e., Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic, were purposefully selected for the study as of 31 December 2018. The research period covered the years 1990–2018. The sources of gathered information were the literature on the subject and OECD data. The following methods were used for the analysis and presentation of materials: explanations, tabular and graphical depictions, descriptive statistics, dynamics indicators, and cluster analysis performed with the following methods: k-means, hierarchical agglomerative clusters and DIvisive ANAlysis (DIANA). There is a limited number of previous studies on the relationship between the national level of economic development and energy consumption in different sectors of industry. Additionally, there are no such analytical projects concerning EU states. The article fills the research gap in this area. It was established that the dynamics of productivity growth over the nine years (2010–2018) was similar in the countries of the Visegrad group and on average for the EU. This means that the members of the Visegrad group did not actually improve their energy efficiency as compared to the EU average. The reason may be the increasingly faster implementation of modern technologies in developed economies of Western Europe as compared to the developing countries, which include the members of the Visegrad group. The conversion of the economy had a very large impact on changing the structure of energy absorption by sector. Industry and agriculture lost their importance. On the other hand, the transport and service sectors benefited. As a result of the cluster analysis, all EU (European Union) states were divided into four groups. Poland, the Czech Republic, and Hungary found themselves in one group, along with most Western European countries. This may mean that the economies of these states have become unified with highly developed economic systems. Slovakia found itself in the group of states with a greater importance of industry. The study complements the contribution to the theory. From a practical point of view, it shows the impact of economic transformation on changes in energy consumption in individual sectors, which may be a model of transition in this area.

scholarly journals Comparative Analysis of R&D in the Visegrad Group Countries in the Years 2004–2018

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 31-44
Author(s):  
Małgorzata Jabłońska
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Preliminary Analysis ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Structure And Dynamics ◽  
Research Hypothesis ◽  
Innovation Potential ◽  
Visegrad Group ◽  
The Eu

The purpose of this paper is to present a comparative analysis of basic measures that demonstrate the development of R&D in the Visegrad Group countries (Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovakia) in the years 2004–2018. The preliminary analysis of the problem allowed for the formulation of a research hypothesis, which reads: Since becoming a member of the EU, the innovation of the economies of the Visegrad Group countries has improved. The analysis shows that the structure and dynamics of R&D expenditure in these countries are diverse, although the innovation potential of the regions of the Visegrad Group countries is still low compared to the average EU level.

scholarly journals The Cybersecurity Strategy of the Visegrad Group Countries

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 75-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marek Górka
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Regional Level ◽  
European Region ◽  
Strategic Culture ◽  
Eastern European ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
The Future ◽  
Similarities And Differences ◽  
Visegrad Group ◽  
Common Security

Abstract The Visegrad Group is the most dynamic transnational group in the Central and Eastern European region, connecting the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia and Hungary. Together these countries have established a useful framework for engaging with and coordinating policy at a regional level. At the same time, they are implementing EU programmes by creating cooperating networks with neighbouring countries based on their common security needs and strategic culture. This article focuses on the cybersecurity policies of the Visegrad Group countries. My analysis aims to reveal similarities and differences among these states that may be crucial for their future cooperation on a joint Central and Eastern European cybersecurity strategy. A cybersecurity strategy is a basic document created in a governmental context that reflects the interests and security rules at work in cyberspace. This document establishes the framework for future legislation, policies/standards, guidelines and other security- and cybersecurity‑related recommendations. This study is also an attempt to assess the development of cybersecurity policies; as such, it provides an opportunity to hypothesise about the future of cybertechnology in the Visegrad Group region.

scholarly journals Czech Republic: Defence and Security Strategy within the EU

2020 ◽  
pp. 255-277
Author(s):  
Yulia Shcherbakova ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Regional Cooperation ◽  
Geographical Location ◽  
European Security ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Defense Strategy ◽  
Government Documents ◽  
Defense Cooperation ◽  
Visegrad Group ◽  
The Eu

The article examines the defense strategy of the Czech Republic. Based on the analysis of government documents («Defense Strategy of the Czech Republic 2017,» «Priorities of the Czech Presidency in V4») reveals the goals and objectives of the Czech Republic in the field of European security and defense at the present stage. The country is an independent element not only of global security, but, due to its geographical location in the middle of Europe, and an important element of European security. The article explores the Czech Republic's position on participation in the Permanent Structured Cooperation on Security and Defense (PESCO), multilateral projects outside the EU, military missions and operations of the EU and NATO, as well as bilateral cooperation and within the Visegrad Group (V4) comprising Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia. The Czech Republic's position on military expenditures is being considered, as well as the problem of coexistence of European military structures and NATO. The Czech Republic intends to develop a single European arms market. This includes mandatory investments in the defense industry and the formation of the European Defense Fund, which will be used to invest in member countries. The Czech Republic actively supports and develops bilateral and multilateral defense cooperation with neighboring countries, as well as in a regional format. Defense regional cooperation focuses on two main areas: cooperation with Germany and within the Visegrad Group. Also it observes risks to Czech defense construction revealed due to Coronavirus pandemic.

scholarly journals Central Europe in the Pandemic Era: First Economic Results

2021 ◽  
Vol 65 (3) ◽  
pp. 92-101
Author(s):  
A. Chetverikova
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Foreign Trade ◽  
Technological Development ◽  
World Order ◽  
Recovery Process ◽  
The European Union ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Trade Relations ◽  
Visegrad Group ◽  
Visegrád Countries

The article analyzes the response of the Visegrad Group countries to the 2020 pandemic. Measures are outlined that were taken by Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic to support their economies, including efforts to stabilize labour markets and measures for several most affected sectors. The author assesses the main economic indicators of the Visegrad countries during the first half of 2020 in the light of the consequences of imposed restrictive measures. The reaction of the Visegrad economies to the pandemic correlates with the pan-European reaction. Special attention is paid to the condition of the foreign trade sector of the “four” members, which plays an important role in their economies. The dynamic of foreign trade relations of Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic with the European Union and Russia during the pandemic is analyzed. Mutual trade flows within the Visegrad Group are evaluated in the light of opportunities to compensate downturns in other markets. Possible prospects for the development of the Visegrad Group after the pandemic are considered. The existing forecasts of the Group’s countries development are analyzed. The factors influencing the recovery process in the Visegrad countries are given. The consequences of COVID 19 will affect many sectors of Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic, which will not be able to cope with them without the EU support. Realization of opportunities including the emergence of more innovative elements in their economies that meet the challenges of the 21st century, will also depend on the members of the Visegrad Group themselves. Acknowledgements. The article was prepared within the project “Post-crisis world order: challenges and technologies, competition and cooperation” supported by the grant from Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation program for research projects in priority areas of scientific and technological development (Agreement № 075-15-2020-783).

Vishegrad Four and Development of European Integration

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (12) ◽  
pp. 87-95
Author(s):  
F. Basov
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
European Integration ◽  
Energy Security ◽  
European Policy ◽  
Informal Group ◽  
Energy Union ◽  
The Future ◽  
Further Development ◽  
Visegrád Countries ◽  
The Eu

This article is devoted to the study of the position of the Visegrad countries (Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic and Slovakia) on the further development of European integration. Particular attention is paid to such important EU projects as the Defense Union, the Energy Union and the European Green Deal. The article also analyzes the stand of the Visegrad states on migration issues, institutional problems of European integration, energy security. Prestige and status remain important factors for the foreign and European policy of the Visegrad countries. For this reason, the latter are supporters of an intergovernmental and confederal approach to European integration, preservation of national competencies. In the vision of the further development of European integration, the positions of the mainstream and V4 have come closer. The Visegrad states do not want to leave the EU and are not ready to go to a tough confrontation with Brussels. The V4 countries that are not part of the Eurozone are planning to join it. They also support the main and most ambitious projects of European integration mentioned above, although they have their own special priorities in these projects. Visegrad is a sub-region with its own characteristics in the perception of European integration. These characteristics consist in conservatism, pragmatism, agrarianism, an anti-migrant mood. In this, some neighboring countries are similar to the Visegrad Four – Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Lithuania, Latvia. This circumstance suggests that in the future it will be possible to speak about the informal group “V4+”.

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