Gödöllő would rebuild Visegrad: today for the first time will be hosted by four summits Hungarian Peter

Hungary's Prime Minister, Péter Magyar, shared a photo on social media with the leaders of the Visegrad Group—comprising Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic—and announced plans to restart the Visegrad Cooperation. This post came ahead of the upcoming European Union summit scheduled to begin on Thursday evening. Magyar confirmed that the planned Visegrad Group summit, originally set for June 23 at the Grassalkovich Castle in Gödöllő, will indeed take place. He emphasized that this marks a new beginning for the Visegrad Cooperation, stating, "We are restarting the Visegrad Cooperation!" The announcement follows separate discussions between Magyar and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, as well as participation in a broader meeting involving the prime ministers of all four Visegrad countries.

Magyar stated during his meetings that he reached agreement with the other three heads of government regarding the importance of reviving the coordination mechanisms within the Visegrad Group. He expressed regret over the years of stagnation in the group’s functioning and highlighted its significance as a crucial forum for dialogue among the 27 EU member states. The renewed cooperation is seen as highly influential and carries significant expectations. Magyar also noted that he had previously engaged in phone conversations with Fico about the issue of the Beneš Decrees, where Fico clearly outlined his differing stance on the matter. Their first in-person meeting was described by Fico as a positive start, with him expressing appreciation for Magyar’s commitment to continuing the Visegrad Cooperation.

The potential revival of the Visegrad Group comes amid complex political dynamics within Central Europe. While Magyar and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi belong to the mainstream conservative bloc within the European People’s Party, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš aligns more closely with nationalist movements such as the Patriots. In Slovakia, Robert Fico represents a more sovereign-oriented approach, often diverging from the policies of neighboring countries. These differences have been exacerbated by historical issues, particularly the Beneš Decrees, which were issued after World War II and affected Hungarians living in territories that became part of Czechoslovakia. The use of these decrees as a political tool in Slovakia has complicated diplomatic relations with Hungary, especially given recent statements made by Hungarian officials regarding the Treaty of Trianon, which defined Hungary’s borders after World War I.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Orban Anita recently held talks in Vienna with Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger, preparing for an expanded Central European cooperation initiative known as the C5 format. This includes representatives from Hungary, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Slovenia. However, Poland does not participate in this particular arrangement, indicating varying degrees of alignment among the region’s nations. Meanwhile, some analysts suggest that Magyar’s insistence on challenging the Beneš Decrees reflects a deeper ideological conflict rather than solely a concern for protecting the Hungarian minority in Slovakia. Critics argue that such positions are more about asserting national sovereignty than addressing specific regional issues.

As preparations continue for the upcoming Visegrad summit, the focus remains on how effectively the group can coordinate its efforts within the EU framework. With each nation pursuing distinct political strategies, the success of the revived cooperation will depend on finding common ground while respecting individual priorities. The June 23 meeting in Gödöllő is expected to serve as a critical step toward redefining the role of the Visegrad Group in contemporary European politics. The outcome of this summit could influence future collaborations and shape the trajectory of Central European diplomacy in the coming months.