Visegrad Countries in 2022

Abstract

In this article, the author analyzes the situation inside the Visegrad countries and the Visegrad group against the background of the rapid deterioration of the international situation and the unfolding military actions in Ukraine. The international crisis contributed to an increase in inflation in the countries, the growth of discontent among the population, which resulted almost everywhere in full-scale strikes and manifestations. Against this background, predictions about contradictions within the Visegrad Four – the oldest of the modern regional structures on the continent – and about its possible imminent collapse have intensified in the European press. Indeed, the long absence of meetings in the first half of the year and the demarches of the chairmen of the Czech Parliament gave ground to such conclusions, but politicians of another level – prime ministers and presidents – continued their meetings, joint consultations and exchange of views, that eventually helped them to clarify positions and contributed to the preservation of regional unity of the Visegrad countries. Especially important from this point of view was the November meeting of Prime Ministers Viktor Orban, Mateusz Morawiecki, Piotr Fiala and Eduard Heger in Kosice.

Keywords

• visegrad countries
• visegrad quartet
• russian-ukrainian conflict
• assistance to ukraine
• regional cooperation