PM Babiš hails Czech-Hungarian ties, says V4 cooperation is gaining momentum

Central European countries are much stronger when they speak with one voice, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš said after the first joint meeting of the Czech and Hungarian governments in Prague on Thursday. He welcomed the revival of cooperation within the Visegrad Group (V4), comprising Czechia, Slovakia, Poland and Hungary.

Babiš described Thursday’s talks, held at Kramář Villa and the Straka Academy in Prague, as a milestone in bilateral relations. Eight Hungarian ministers accompanied Magyar to the meeting.

According to the Czech prime minister, the two sides discussed trade and European Union affairs as well as security cooperation and activities within NATO.

Czechia and Hungary will seek EU funding for the development of high-speed rail lines in negotiations on the bloc’s next seven-year budget framework. The two countries’ transport ministers signed a memorandum of cooperation during the meeting, which also addresses high-speed rail projects.