Merkel highlighted the impact of EU funds on the Visegrad countries, adding that they’ve used the funds to increase their living standards. She added that it should be kept in mind when drafting the new EU budget for 2021-2027, so the progress may continue. Europe has to be strong and effective, economic power and innovations are necessary to ensure the well-being of the people, Merkel said.
The summit was also attended by Czech PM Andrej Babiš, Polish PM Mateusz Morawiecki, Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán, and Slovak PM Peter Pellegrini.
The V4 countries and Germany developed a project to be realized in Morocco, which aims to tackle migration to Europe, Pellegrini told the media after the meeting. Babiš said that NATO members should consider common European protection.
Babiš also reminded the importance of the upcoming European elections for the future of the EU. Orbán believes that both the European Parliament and the EU are going to change after the elections.
Regarding Brexit, Morawiecki said that the V4 respects it, but would prefer the UK to stay in the EU, adding that Brexit is bad for the Union.
Before the summit, Merkel held a bilateral meeting with Pellegrini. We want Germany and Slovakia to closely collaborate on the European level, namely in the matter of digitalization which is our common future, Merkel said.
She also supported the idea of setting up new European agencies into new member states, for example in Bratislava.
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How long can the new era last?
A no-deal Brexit is now more likely than ever before, and it’s seemingly impossible to find any middle ground. But that’s how politics and the media are these days, drama to the very last minute with a sudden happy ending.
MEP Zdechovský: I cease to believe in democratic principles
The condemnation of the Czech truck driver, Jiří Sagan, of smuggling migrants undermines democratic principles, says MEP Tomáš Zdechovský (KDU-ČSL), who believes that Sagan is “one hundred percent innocent”.
Babiš to attend V4 summit in Bratislava
PM Andrej Babiš will attend the summit of Prime Ministers of the Visegrad Group in Bratislava on Thursday.
British Parliament sends a clear message to Brussels
Now it is much clearer what the next Brexit steps are. The Brits want to leave the EU with a deal, changing the Irish backstop in an already negotiated proposal. Meanwhile, more delays and Labour’s alternative plan that may have led to a new referendum were rejected by Parliament.
Babis: We must support Libya to solve migrant crisis
Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš met with his Libyan counterpart Fayez Sarraj in Prague and showed support to his cabinet in Tripoli, which is officially recognized as the Libyan government by the UN. Babiš also expressed his hopes that the EU will be more active in helping Libya tackle illegal migration.
More harmful effects of Brexit to come
The United Kingdom is an important export destination not only in terms of direct but also indirect exports. Hard Brexit could have tainted the Czech economy by tens of billions of crowns and tens of thousands of jobs, especially in the automotive industry.
Merkel unable to eat humble pie
Experience should be a stupidity that one refuses to repeat. However, this saying does not really apply to politics, as Angela Merkel proved in Chemnitz last week.
Migration among topics for Zeman-Merkel meeting
During his three-day official visit to Germany next week, Czech President Zeman is going to meet with Angela Merkel to discuss migration among other topics.