THE VISEGRAD GROUP AND ITS POSITION IN EUROPE

Abstract

In international relations, certain countries with close interests or goals often form groups to deepen cooperation and facilitate the achievement of goals. The Visegrad group, initially comprised of Poland, Czechoslovakia, and Hungary, aimed at joining the EU as quickly as possible. Later, by mutual separation of the Czech Republic and Slovakia, the group has four countries. Joining the European Union has not led to the breakup of the group due to the fulfillment of its overriding objective. These four countries have continued their cooperation to better represent their interests within the European Union. It should be noted that all four countries have become members of the NATO Pact but do not have the same views on relations with Russia. Their mutual relations are of great importance for economic issues, that is, for the protection of the economic interests of these countries in relation to others. Also, the issue of regulating relations with national minorities is significant. Recently, this group of countries is uniquely addressing the migrant crisis that has affected many European countries, especially EU member states. Unlike the leading EU countries, the members of the Visegrad Group do not accept the arrival of migrants to their territory, as they would consider it a destabilization of their countries. The Hungarian leader Orban is very explicit when Hungary does not want Islamists in its territory because it has been occupied by Islamists for two centuries. This attitude is practically demonstrated by Hungary by building a wall on the border with Serbia.