Babiš meets Merz in Berlin, says Visegrad group not functioning

The Visegrad Group is currently not functioning because of tensions between Poland and Hungary, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš said on Tuesday after talks in Berlin with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

Despite the current difficulties, Babiš said the Visegrad Four, which brings together Czechia, Poland, Hungary and Slovakia, still makes sense.

Merz thanked the Czech government for maintaining the Czech-led initiative to secure artillery ammunition for Ukraine, calling it an important contribution to the country’s defence against Russia’s invasion. Earlier this year Babiš said the initiative would continue, although Czechia itself would no longer finance the purchases.

The two leaders also discussed the conflict in the Middle East. Merz said there is no clear joint plan to end the war involving Iran and stressed that Germany does not want an endless conflict, a view Babiš said he shares.