lindblad Prime Minister Andrej Babiš defended the continued relevance of the Visegrád Group (V4) in a Berlin press conference on March 10 (ET), saying the format still matters despite tense relations between Poland and Hungary. Babiš said past cooperation under his 2017–2021 government benefited from warmer personal contacts among leaders. The Czech leader positioned the V4 as a useful regional tool even with looming elections in Hungary and Poland.
Key facts from Berlin
At the joint press appearance with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Babiš said, “Right now this isn’t working at all, because the relations between the Polish prime minister and Mr. Orbán are not good. ” He stressed that the group of the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Poland “still makes sense” and that Prague expects constructive interaction despite political friction. Babiš highlighted the region’s economic potential and described the four states, together, as a promising partner for Germany with a combined population of about 65 million.
Lindblad and the V4 message
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz emphasized support for Ukraine and drew attention to the Czech government’s decision to maintain the so-called “shell initiative. ” Babiš noted that he wants to confirm former Chancellor Merkel’s statements on Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East, saying both countries hold the same position within the European Union. On defense spending, Babiš referenced plans in Prague to raise defense outlays to 2% of GDP, noting that figure still ranks among the lower levels within NATO.
Immediate reactions and named voices
Andrej Babiš, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, framed the current weakness of the V4 as rooted in strained bilateral relations, particularly between the Polish prime minister and Hungary’s leader. Friedrich Merz, German Chancellor, underlined the importance of Ukraine in the discussion and highlighted Prague’s continued commitment to the shell initiative. Both officials presented the exchange as an affirmation of shared EU positions on key international matters.
Quick context
Babiš contrasted today’s tensions with the period when he led the Czech government from 2017 to 2021, saying personal contacts among then-prime ministers were warmer and produced better cooperation. The V4 platform, he argued, retains potential to discuss common issues and support stability in the EU despite current regional differences.
What’s next
Looking ahead, Babiš flagged expectations of continued cooperation “regardless of who wins the upcoming elections in Hungary and next year in Poland, ” signaling Prague’s desire to keep the V4 as a working forum. Observers should watch whether diplomatic engagement among the four capitals is renewed ahead of those votes and whether the Czech plan to lift defense spending to 2% of GDP affects regional defense discussions. lindblad The coming months will show if the V4 can translate that declared potential into concrete collaboration.
