Visegrad Declaration 2004

 

Declaration of Prime Ministers of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Poland and the Slovak Republic on cooperation of the Visegrad Group countries after their accession to the European Union

 

The Prime Ministers of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Poland and the Slovak Republic, assembled on 12 May 2004 in Kroměříž, state with full satisfaction that the key objectives set in the 1991 Visegrad Declaration have been achieved and declare their determination to continue developing the cooperation of the Visegrad Group countries as Member States of the European Union and NATO.

The Visegrad Group countries regard their accession to the European Union and NATO as a significant step towards the reunification of Europe and as a historic milestone on the path of their democratic transformation, integration efforts and mutual cooperation. The integration of the Visegrad Group countries into the European and Euro-Atlantic structures opens up new opportunities and poses new challenges for their further cooperation on the issues of common interest.

The cooperation of the Visegrad Group countries will continue to focus on regional activities and initiatives aimed at strengthening the identity of the Central European region. In this context, their cooperation will be based on concrete projects and will maintain its flexible and open character.

The Visegrad Group countries are strongly determined to jointly contributing to the fulfilment of the European Union's common goals and objectives and to the successful continuation of the European integration. They reiterate their commitment to the enlargement process of the European Union. They are ready to assist countries aspiring for EU membership by sharing and transmitting their knowledge and experience. The Visegrad Group countries are also ready to use their unique regional and historical experience and to contribute to shaping and implementing the European Union's policies towards the countries of Eastern and Southeastern Europe.

The Visegrad Group countries are committed to closely cooperating with their nearest partners in the Central European region. They are also ready to cooperate in specific areas of common interest with countries within the wider region, with other regional groupings in Europe as well as with third countries and international organizations.

The Prime Ministers of the Visegrad Group countries express their deep conviction that further cooperation between their countries, rooted in centuries of interlinked history and based on similar political, economic and social developments in the past decades, will enrich the community of European nations and contribute to the building of a reunited, democratic and prosperous Europe.

H.E. Vladimír Špidla

Prime Minister of the Czech Republic

 

H.E. Mr. Péter Medgyessy
Prime Minister of the Republic of Hungary

H.E. Mr. Marek Belka
Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland

H.E. Mr. Mikuláš Dzurinda
Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic

More:
Guidelines on the Future Areas of Visegrad Cooperation (12 May 2004)
Visegrad Declaration 1991
Visegrad Declaration 2004 [.pdf]