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Visegrád Cooperation
The Visegrád Cooperation (otherwise known as the Visegrád countries, Visegrád Four or V4) is the regional organisation of the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary and Slovakia. The aim of this cooperation is to jointly represent the economic, diplomatic and political interests of these central European countries and coordinate potential initiatives. This alliance was officially formed pursuant to the signing of the Viegrád Declaration on 15 February 1991.
Every year one country assumes responsibility for managing and coordinating cooperation efforts. Hungary assumed the presidency of the Visegrád Group on 1 July 2009 and will act as president of the alliance throughout one year.
During this one year period, the Hungarian V4 presidency envisages advancing current cohesion policy issues in the field of regional policy and development, as well as regional cooperation among the V4+2 (Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia + Bulgaria and Romania) countries.
Strategy adopted in connection with the future of cohesion policy and current issues concerning cohesion policy implementation:
- Framework forming in connection with future cohesion policy: developing a joint V4 position on the future of the cohesion policy of the European Union.
- Defining the place of cohesion policy in the economic policy of member states and the EU:
- Reviewing results achieved and exchanging experiences;
- Defining the role of cohesion policy at an EU level.
- Cohesion policy must be made functional in the future, i.e., it is necessary to set up the best possible conditions for the policy to be able to reach its intended goal:
- Reviewing the potential to implement integrated local developments;
- Simplification of financial management and control.
- Tasks and event ensuing from the current status of the programme cycle:
Exchanging experiences in connection with irregularities committed in the context of public procurement procedures tying in with current implementation issues.
II. Joint regional development and cooperation in country planning in collaboration with the V4+2 countries
Developing a joint regional development strategy to facilitate more harmonised and effective regional development in this macro-region, in order to be able to more effectively represent this region in European processes by taking the unique characteristics of this region into account.
The Hungarian presidency ensures the opportunity for sharing experiences and convenes meetings with the aim of discussing current implementation mechanisms in place, as well as the future of cohesion policy. Once common interests are identified, these positions will be presented and represented at various EU forums.
Foreseen events on the field of cohesion policy, territorial cohesion, spatial planning during the Hungarian V4 Presidency
| Event | Theme | Level | Place | Date | Participants |
|
Irregularities related to public procurement
|
Expert level |
Hungary |
October 2009 |
Experts from the Visegrad countries |
|
|
Issues concerning the implementation of integrated programmes or projects
|
Expert level |
Hungary |
January 2010 |
Experts from the Visegrad countries |
|
|
Discussion and adoption of a joint strategic declaration on the V4+2 common territorial development document and for the preparation of a potential ministerial meeting
Programme |
Expert level |
Hungary |
February 2010 |
Experts from the V4+2 countries |
|
|
Joint consultation on the experiences, value added and future vision of EU cohesion policy for Central European countries. |
Ministerial |
Hungary |
March 2010 |
Ministers responsible for cohesion policy in the V4 countries +
Slovenia |
|
|
Informal ministerial |
Adoption of a joint strategic declaration on the V4+2 common territorial development document and presentation of the Spanish-Belgian-Hungarian Trio Presidency Programme |
Ministerial |
Hungary |
March
2010 |
Ministers responsible for regional development in the V4+2 countries |
|
High level expert meeting |
Role of the cohesion policy in member states’ economic policy |
Expert level |
Hungary |
April 2010 |
Experts from the Visegrad countries |
|
Expert level meeting |
Simplification in financial management and control systems |
Expert level |
Hungary |
May 2010 |
Experts from the Visegrad countries |
