Prime Minister: Czech Republic’s key priorities for discussions on the future of the EU focus on security, prosperity and improving living standards
Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka met with the other Visegrád Group Prime Ministers on 6 September 2016 within the framework of the Economic Forum in the Polish town of Krynica. V4 Prime Ministers were then joined by the Prime Minister of Ukraine Mr Volodymyr Hrojsman. Later, all V4 Prime Ministers participated in a panel discussion entitled “Central and Eastern Europe – Can we speak in one voice?”
The Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydlová, Bohuslav Sobotka, the Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán primarily discussed preparations for the upcoming 27 EU Member States summit in Bratislava. Their objective was to coordinate efforts of V4 countries prior to this summit which should focus on determining the future direction of the EU.
Prime Minister Sobotka and his counterparts discussed potential deepening of defence cooperation within the European Union, including the possibility of building up joint European army forces. Other topics included deepening of the internal market, digital agenda and investment support.
V4 Prime Ministers and the Ukrainian PM Hrojsman then discussed cooperation between V4 and Ukraine in supporting the Ukrainian reform efforts. They have expressed their appreciation for work performed by the International Visegrád Fund for the support and development of the civic society in Ukraine and discussed potential continuation of the V4 Road Show project, which organizes events in Ukraine focusing on sharing experiences with democratic transformation. V4 Prime Ministers also expressed their unequivocal support to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and implementation of Minsk agreements. Prime Ministers confirmed their common position in a joint statement.
The Prime Ministers of Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Ukraine then spoke at the plenary panel within the Economic Forum entitled “Central and Eastern Europe – Can we speak in one voice?” Speech by the Prime Minister Sobotka.
After working dinner attended by all five Prime Ministers, Bohuslav Sobotka will engage in bilateral talks with Prime Minister Hrojsman. The topics will include such issues as bilateral relations and closer cooperation in political and economical areas, or potential provision of additional Czech aid focusing on transformation and humanitarian issues in Ukraine.
After the opening night’s gala performance celebrating the commencement of the Economic Forum, Prime Minister Sobotka will meet with Google Vice-President for Public Administration Ms Caroline Atkinson, with whom he will discuss the planned activities of Google in Europe and in the Czech Republic, development of digital skills of Czech and digital single market.
This was the third meeting of the Visegrád Group Prime Minister since the beginning of July when Poland assumed presidency of V4.
