The Role and Importance of Economic Cooperation of the Visegrad Group Countries in the European Union Since 2015

In: Studia Europejskie - studies in European Affairs, Band 24, Heft 3, S. 183-205

Abstract

The aim of the article is to describe the genesis, role, significance, conditions and effects of economic cooperation of the Visegrad Group countries in the European Union, with particular emphasis on their development after 2015. It presents the distinguishing features and specifi city of the Group's cooperation before accession to NATO and the EU in the context of the situation of Central Europe and other European post-communist countries, as well as the most important aspects of the political and economic potential of the V4 countries against the background of the EU and selected member states. Various aspects of their economic cooperation in the region are discussed, as well as the structural limitations of the role of the Visegrad Group countries in the EU and related controversy. The final part contains conclusions relating to the Group's activities with regard to the main axes of political and economic divisions in the EU, with particular emphasis placed on economic dimensions.