Central European leaders demand fair European Union settlement with the UK after Brexit vote

Body representing Hungary, Czechia, Poland and Slovakia urges greater trust and co-operation

Four countries in central Europe have jointly called for a stronger union of trust and co-operation to emerge, following the UK's vote to leave the European Union.

Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the Visegrad Group (V4), which co-ordinates collective efforts on behalf of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia within the EU issued a statement on Tuesday expressing “deep regret” at Britain's decision to leave.

However, they added that they will respect “this sovereign decision” and that “the European Union of 27 Member States will continue” but that they must find ways for the EU to emerge from the crisis stronger than before.

The group also issued a call for clarity, reciprocity and fairness.

“The countries of the Visegrad Group strongly urge that the focus of the upcoming negotiations must be on protecting EU interests. European citizens and European companies cannot end up worse off than British citizens and British companies.”

Common project

V4 identified the need for a strengthening of trust between member states and between the EU and citizens of its member countries.

“We too, as the European Union, have to look afresh at our common project. Not because of the United Kingdom’s decision, but because the Union needs to come out of this challenge stronger. We need to focus our attention on a smooth secession process and a new cooperation agreement with the UK as well as the EU reform agenda.”

“We are stronger together because our Union is based on a consensus on key values, principles and priorities. The challenge for the upcoming months will be to translate this consensus as effectively as possible into the everyday life of the Union.”

“However, we can never succeed unless we create a genuine Union of trust.... The genuine concerns of our citizens need to be better reflected. National parliaments have to be heard.

L to R: Viktor Orbán, Bohuslav Sobotka, Beata Maria Szydło, 

Robert Fico, PMs of Hungary, Czechia, Poland and 

Slovakia, respectively.

“Trust also needs to be fostered among Member States, starting with overcoming the artificial and unnecessary dividing lines we have seen emerging in past few months.”

Better Europe

V4 insist that by building trust through better co-operation and being more practically focussed, the EU will become more effective in its operations.

“Instead of endless theoretical debates on 'more Europe' or 'less Europe' we need to focus on 'better Europe'.

“The countries of the Visegrad Group thus believe that working on these objectives will deliver a Union of trust and action only if all 27 Member States are at the table in their diversity and provide their unique inputs.

“Connected in such [a] Union, we will be faster in our decision making and stronger, both internally and externally, to be able to better react to challenges before us. Only thus will we become attractive again both to our citizens as well as globally providing a tangible proof that a united Europe remains the best option.”