THE VISEGRAD FOUR UNDER THE PRESIDENCY OF SLOVAKIA AND CZECHIA

Abstract

The article analyzes in comparison the chairmanship of the Visegrad Group of Slovakia and the Czech Republic, taking place against the background of Special Military Operation. They are also compared with the positions of Hungary and Poland on the «Ukrainian issue». The author draws attention to the fact that initially the Czech presidency was developed as if in continuation of the tasks of the Slovak. This fact further emphasizes the special nature of relations between the two countries, which exactly thirty years ago chose a sovereign path of development instead of a common federation of Czechs and Slovaks. Both programs, being worked out during different periods of escalation of the conflict in the east, place the security and military cooperation of the Quartet countries as one of the main priorities and at the same time take into account other priorities of the European Union related to economic and energy policy. Among other international priorities the countries of the Balkan region and the countries that are still open to cooperation within the framework of the Eastern Partnership stand out (in addition to Ukraine, these are primarily Moldova and Georgia). Both programs emphasize the special role of the Visegrad Foundation as a generator of ideas of Central European unity.