The Visegrád Group – a model to follow?

Abstract

The Visegrád Group, based in particular to support the “return to Europe” of Central European countries, has resulted in a flexible framework for the implementation of cooperation at various levels. This framework was effective in the negotiation of the accession to the European Union. The group was maintained after the 2004 accession and the activities have evolved. Now, the V4 is an active regional group allowing the four countries to speak with one voice, both internally and externally. This raises the question of the structure of the European Union, specific confederation of 28 member states with complex governance, not always satisfactory. Two issues need to be explored: on the one hand, an extension of such regional alliances which could perhaps improve this governance, and, on the other hand, the establishment of regional alliances including some candidate countries (official and/or potential) could also make it possible to overcome the opposition between enlargement and deepening, and, secondly, to support the negotiations of countries while establishing a necessary environment of good neighbourliness.

Keywords

• European integration
• Regional cooperation
• West Balkans
• Deepening
• Enlargement