Visegrad Group ministers meet to launch Slovakia’s presidency

Foreign ministers from Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary met in Tomášov to inaugurate Slovakia’s annual presidency of the Visegrad Group (V4). Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski stated that the group is returning to a state where member nations can trust one another and coordinate common positions, particularly ahead of European ministerial meetings.

The meeting also marked the resumption of the V4-Japan dialogue after a five-year hiatus, with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi participating. Discussions between the V4 and Japan focused on economy, science, advanced technologies, artificial intelligence, energy security, and geopolitical stability, including Indo-Pacific cooperation and resilient supply chains.

Despite the renewed diplomatic activity, challenges remain regarding the group’s cohesion. Previous difficulties have stemmed from conflicting political stances among member governments, particularly concerning relations with Russia and the war in Ukraine. While the V4 aims to act as a unified regional bloc, observers note that Slovakia’s current leadership under Prime Minister Robert Fico maintains complex ties with Russia and China, which may influence the group’s international stance.