Prime Ministers of Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Czech Republic - Kancelaria Premiera / Flickr.com
The Visegrad Group (V4) is the closest and most effective alliance in the European Union, Peter Szijjarto, Hungary’s foreign minister, told a V4 conference on Friday.
The V4 has a voice that is heard across Europe and beyond, and it has become an important player in shaping European political affairs, Szijjarto told the conference of V4 house speakers held in Parliament.
The V4 has gained an important role in protecting Christian values, he said, adding that Christian traditions, culture and identity had come under attack.
“We cannot allow this to continue, because we know what Christianity has given to us and what it means to stick to our traditions and legacy,” he said.
V4 has become “a brand”, he said, adding that every time the group’s prime ministers meet, the whole of Europe’s political elite and press pay attention.
Addressing the conference, Hungarian Speaker of Parliament Laszlo Kover said that a long-term solution had to be found to the migration crisis that affects the day-to-day life of Europeans at a fundamental level. A solution must be found that pre-empts migration pressure faced by Europe instead of distributing it, he said, adding that the speakers had agreed that their countries should urge the drafting of a comprehensive migration strategy at parliamentary level, taking into account national interests and national security.