Deputy foreign ministers of Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary hold consultations on Eastern policy
12.02.2021
“Challenges arising in our eastern neighbourhood call for intensive dialogue, and wherever possible – joint engagement,” emphasised Deputy Minister Marcin Przydacz during consultations with his Czech, Slovak, and Hungarian counterparts – Aleš Chmelař, Martin Klus, and István Balogh respectively. The meeting, held in the form of a videoconference, confirmed the need for regular discussions at the forum of the Visegrad Group on Eastern policy.
The best example of their validity is the activity of the region’s countries in the area of the Eastern Partnership. “Another meeting of foreign ministers of the Visegrad Group and the Eastern Partnership, planned for the first half of 2021, should prove that our countries share a vision for the development of Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan,” stressed Deputy Minister Przydacz. The deputy ministers agreed that major social and economic phenomena are occurring in the partner countries, and that the COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected their stability, especially in terms of economy. “The V4 countries are guided by solidarity and view their neighbours as partners in strengthening common security and promoting stable growth,” stated the deputy chief of Polish diplomacy.
“In the light of the developments in Russia, we have to redouble our efforts to support the civil society and human rights organisations both in Russia and Belarus,” highlighted Deputy Minister Przydacz. The V4 partners stated their belief that the situation in Russia and Belarus poses a serious challenge to the European Union and the entire international community, and that it is necessary to maintain the solidarity and coherence of actions to find appropriate responses.
The partners also spoke about the EU-Ukraine Association Council that is currently convening in Brussels, and expressed their support for the process of implementing the association agreement and Ukraine’s approximation to the EU structures.
“The South Caucasus is a region of Poland’s constant interest, not only due to good bilateral relations with Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, but also in the perspective of the Polish chairmanship of the OSCE in 2022. We hope for Czechia’s, Slovakia’s and Hungary’s support in efforts to ensure our distant neighbours stability and security,” said Deputy Minister Przydacz.
The deputy foreign ministers also discussed the situation in Central Asia countries – as the region’s importance is growing in the context of the European Union’s external relations. Deputy Minister Marcin Przydacz stressed that Poland will support actions aimed at enhancing cooperation between the Visegrad Group and this region to the extent that will be beneficial to all interested states.
MFA Press Office
Photo: Tymon Markowski / MFA