V4 PMs issue joint statement for strong Europe at anniversary meeting

Prague, February 15 (MTI) – The Visegrad Four countries of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia want a strong Europe without dividing lines, according to a joint statement issued by the prime ministers in the group at a 25th anniversary meeting in Prague on Monday.

Viktor Orbán of Hungary, Bohuslav Sobotka of the Czech Republic, Beata Szydlo of Poland and Robert Fico of Slovakia warned of “the risks and negative consequences of any potentially emerging new dividing lines in Europe.”

“We are determined to work actively and resolutely to prevent such new dividing lines to emerge. We are convinced that all our European partners share our determination and are ready to act together with us in that spirit,” the statement said.

They said the European Union must remain open to current and candidate members and European integration must be deepened.

“We have unequivocally advocated for the EU enlargement as a means of expanding the area of stability and prosperity. It should be considered our moral duty, as countries which have used the opportunities opened by our own memberships, to keep the doors to the EU open for future candidates”, the statement said.

“Recent developments-whose common denominator is the challenging of peace, security and prosperity of EU citizens-demand a joint response from all European allies,” it added.

“We consider the deepening of the European integration crucially important. That is why we are determined to contribute to its strengthening and proper functioning. We want the European Union to be strong and a stronger European Union needs a strong Visegrad Group,” the statement said.

Photo: MTI

Source: http://mtva.hu/hu/hungary-matters