Poland in the UK

The meeting, which took place at the Polish Embassy in London, saw the minister, Ambassador Rzegocki, Czech Ambassador Libor Sečka, Slovak Ambassador Ľubomír Rehák and Hungarian Ambassador Ferenc Kumin discuss opportunities for cooperation between the United Kingdom and the V4 as well as the Covid-19 pandemic, the European solidarity in light of the crisis in Belarus, and the UK’s foreign policy.

Speaking about the inauguration, Ambassador Rzegocki said: ”The presence of Minister Morton at the inauguration of the Polish Presidency of the Visegrád Group is proof of the UK's strong relations with Central Europe. We appreciate the recognition of the V4 as an important partner by a key Western ally.

”Our aim is to get back on track by creating a strong V4 in a strong Europe. In order to achieve it, we need to focus on post-pandemic recovery, as well as people-to-people contacts and developing the V4 cooperation in the digital sector. I look forward to all of us continuing to work together for the good of our nations and our people.”

During Poland’s presidency, the V4 will cooperate on counteracting the effects of the Covid-19 crisis and returning to normality as soon as possible, including working together in the areas of health and science. It will also focus on the issues of Brexit, the Multiannual Financial Framework, the Cohesion Policy, the Common Agricultural Policy, the Western Balkans, the European Union’s enlargement, the Eastern Partnership and cooperation with EU’s eastern neighbours. In addition, emphasis will be placed on issues related to climate, digital transition, the Three Seas Initiative, transatlantic relations, societal intergration and security.

The Visegrád Group was formed on 15 February 1991 with the purpose of advancing the military, cultural, economic, science and energy cooperation between Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary and furthering the countries’ intergration into the European Union. They cooperate within the EU as well as with individual countries, the latter within the ”V4+” format. One of the countries it has held numerous meetings with in this format over the years is the UK.

The V4 countries are linked by neighbourhood, similar geopolitical situation, common history, traditions, culture and values. Find out more about the heritage of the V4 by taking a cultural journey through Visegrád with renowned Polish pianist Tomasz Lis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEx0zu_Ufc8.

To learn more about Poland’s V4 presidency, visit: https://www.gov.pl/web/V4presidency.

Polish Embassy UK Press Office