Magyar Köztársaság Országgyűlése

No. 20. (15/11/02)

Speech of Bogdan Klich, Vice-Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Sejm of the Republic of Poland
"The Polish Approach to the Perspectives of Co-operation Between the Visegrad Countries"

Poland perceives its co-operation with the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic and the Republic of Hungary as a permanent component of its foreign policy agenda, particularly in the area of security, the European Union accession process and regional co-operation.

The strengthening of regional identity and the protection of regional interests are basic elements of co-operation between the Visegrad countries. Poland supports all educational, cultural and social initiatives undertaken within the framework of that co-operation, thereby demonstrating its importance for neighbour and regional relations. It is upon this social foundation that the concept of co-operation between our countries is based.

The Visegrad Group is also a useful platform for co-operation in the area of EU accession. I believe we should seek to place emphasis on the elements that are common to the political agendas of our four countries, especially where the risk exists that one country may be used to the disadvantage of another. We have taken and will continue to take steps to preserve the current dynamics and scope of co-operation, while paying particular attention to our mutual interests in joining the EU.

We believe that the co-operation pursued by the four Visegrad countries in various areas has helped them to distinguish themselves among the twelve EU candidate countries. Owing to this co-operation, the Visegrad Group has gained much experience in adopting common positions and negotiating compromises, while the European Union has come to perceive Central Europe as a coherent spatial entity. Other countries of the region have also become interested in the idea of co-operation, as evidenced by their willingness to join the Visegrad Group.

As European integration will proceed, it will become necessary to reconsider co-operation between the Visegrad countries in the context of EU membership, which will include deciding on the future areas of co-operation and adapting its instruments and patterns to the new conditions. The mandate for co-operation laid down in the 1991 Visegrad Declaration will practically expire upon accession of the countries of the region to NATO and the EU. This will be particularly true of intergovernmental and interministerial co-operation in Central Europe in the area of the economy, infrastructure and ecology. On the other hand, certain other aspects of co-operation between the Visegrad countries, such as education, culture and society, will gain importance as instruments for establishing and cultivating the regional identity of Central Europe. The important phase of ratification of accession treaties will follow the completion of accession negotiations. Co-operation between the Visegrad countries in this area, hopefully including the implementation of joint projects, may significantly contribute to increasing support for and endorsing the enlargement process both in the EU member states and in the Visegrad countries.

At the summit in Prague on 21-22 November 2002, NATO will invite the selected aspirant countries to joint its organisation. For a long time now, Poland has genuinely and openly supported the idea that a broad group of the countries best prepared to joint NATO should be allowed to do so in the next round of enlargement (the 7 aspirant countries are Slovakia, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Slovenia, Romania and Bulgaria). Motivated by its interests, Poland's preference for Slovakia and the Baltic States has always been known both to its allies and the candidate countries.

We believe that the enlargement process will contribute a new quality to NATO. The alliance will not only increase its geographical presence, but will also gain new trustworthy members who will contribute significantly to the implementation of NATO policies, while sharing the burdens in a solidary manner and defending the values that lie at the core of the alliance. The enlargement process will both strengthen international security and contribute to increasing the zone of stability in the Euro-Atlantic region. NATO membership provides our countries with a warranty of stability and security. Yet we remain confident that the Visegrad Group is and will continue to be an excellent promoter of stability and security in our region.

The successful integration of the Visegrad countries within the European and Euro-Atlantic structures (EU and NATO respectively) will give us a prominent position in Central, Eastern and Southern Europe, while imposing special obligations arising from the fact that there are countries, both our close and more distant neighbours, that will remain outside these structures. Exporting the stability, democracy and free market rules eastward will be both a necessity and our duty following the next round of NATO and EU enlargement. In the years 2004-2005, Central, Eastern and Southern European countries are likely to represent a highly diversified group, one that has ceased to share strategic interests. Namely, some of these countries will achieve their goals by joining NATO, others will become EU members, while still others will remain outside either or both of these organisations. It is already imminent that the Vilnius Ten will cease to function following the NATO summit in Prague.

We believe that the countries whose membership in NATO and/or the EU is unlikely in the near future should not be left to themselves. On the contrary, it is important that active and possibly effective contacts are maintained with these countries. It was with this goal in mind that Poland presented its initiative in Riga this past July. We believe that the Visegrad Group has a responsibility to extend the zone of stability and co-operation for security to other countries of our region.

Poland has welcomed the results of the meeting of the Heads of Government of the Visegrad countries held on 29 June in Hungary. While demonstrating the revival of co-operation, this meeting brought about a number of arrangements concerning, for instance, the establishment of the Visegrad Scholarship Programme and Visegrad Prize. Support for Slovakia's aspirations towards NATO membership was also strongly voiced at the meeting.

The meeting of Presidents of the Visegrad Countries in the Czech town of Častolovice on 22 August was dedicated to the discussion of future co-operation within the Visegrad Group. While confirming their readiness to strengthen and extend co-operation following EU accession, the Presidents agreed on a need for the Visegrad Countries to present themselves jointly to the EU member states. They also declared their intention to co-operate with the countries that will not accede to NATO and/or the EU, as well as emphasised the need to extend the zone of stability and co-operation for security to other countries of our region.

The perspectives for co-operation within the Visegrad Group were also discussed at the informal meeting of Prime Ministers of the Visegrad countries held on 5 September during the XII Economic Forum in Krynica Górska. The dedication of the Visegrad countries to continuing and strengthening their co-operation following EU accession was emphasised. It was also declared that mutual interests would be formulated in a way conducive to more pragmatic and effective co-operation.

Talks were undertaken with the Benelux countries in the context of preparations for future co-operation between the Visegrad countries within the framework of the European Union. Concrete steps were taken on 24-25 May at the second meeting of Prime Ministers of the Visegrad and Benelux countries, which was aimed at developing co-operation with the Benelux countries. The arrangements made at this meeting concerned the establishment of contacts between the representatives of Visegrad and Benelux governments to the Convent and the organisation of expert meetings. Considering that they represent a successful political model, co-operation with the Benelux countries may be helpful in developing the Visegrad Group's own model of co-operation following the accession of its members to the European Union.

Poland subscribes to the view that co-operation between our four countries - the successors to the 1991 agreement - should be continued in accordance with the principle of high political and territorial coherence. Accordingly, we do not take into consideration the possibility of enlarging the Visegrad Group. At the same time, however, we believe that the Visegrad Group should remain open to all possible forms of consultations with non-member countries provided that these are not conducive to formal co-operation.

Co-operation based on the formula of VG + third countries, such as EU countries (particularly the Benelux countries), the Nordic Council and other Western European countries, e.g. the Great Britain, France and Germany, would be extremely favourable. It is also important that the Visegrad Group develops contacts with Ukraine and remains open to co-operation with Slovenia, Croatia and Lithuania.

Co-operation between the Visegrad Group, the European Union and Ukraine regarding the external EU border will constitute an important aspect of preparations for applying the Schengen acquis to third countries. It may also be helpful in channelling EU assistance towards solving the problems of protecting and controlling this particular section of the future EU border.

Established in June 2000 at the Visegrad Group meeting in Prague, the International Visegrad Fund plays an important role in promoting co-operation between the Visegrad countries. With a total of 170 projects completed to date, the Fund intends to focus more on education and youth exchange programmes. Other initiatives that contribute to cultivating a common Visegrad identity are cultural initiatives such as, for instance, the annual Visegrad festival organised by the four distinguished academic and cultural centres: Wrocław, Olomouc, Prešov and Pecs. Poland expresses its satisfaction with the signature of the Protocol establishing the Visegrad Scholarship Programme, which will be launched in the academic year 2003/2004.

We believe that the future of the Visegrad Group depends on:

A/ Deepening and developing co-operation in various areas. Significant progress has been made during the Hungarian presidency in contacts between particular ministries of the four countries, particularly those responsible for infrastructure and environmental protection. We intend to support these initiatives, since they are conducive to the creation of new structures in our region.

B/ Extending the influence of the Visegrad Group outside its territory. The Visegrad Countries will obtain an additional warranty of stability and security when they become members of the European Union. On the other hand, they will continue to function as liaison between Ukraine, Belarus and other ex-Soviet countries (e.g. Moldavia) and NATO and the EU. Therefore, the Visegrad Group is responsible for promoting model solutions related to the political and economic transformation and changes in the security and defence sectors. The model of Euroregions based on the integration of neighbour countries should continue to be implemented as a way of reviving co-operation at the sub-regional level.

C/ Poland does not consider it necessary to merge the Visegrad Group with any other regional organisation. Likewise, we are convinced there is no need to consider enlarging the Group. Yet we also believe that the Visegrad Group should remain open to any possible forms of consultations with third countries provided that these are not conducive to formal co-operation.