Diverging Voices, Converging Policies: The Visegrad States’ Reactions to the Russia-Ukraine Conflict

11th March 2016, 10.00 a.m.
Institute of Public Affairs
Szpitalna St. 5/22, Warsaw

The refugee crisis has disunited Europe while it re-united the Visegrad states, which had previously been perceived as divided on the crucial issue of Europe’s response to Russian resurgence and aggression in Ukraine. In this light Heinrich Böll Foundation and Institute of Public Affairs are pleased to invite to a seminar combined with the presentation of the book edited by Jacek Kucharczyk and Grigorij Mesežnikov.

The pillar of the new V4 unity is their opposition to the EU quota-based relocation programme and the endorsement of  PM Orban’s criticism of German crisis management. This newly regained unity seems to fulfil the election pledge of Poland’s newly elected conservative government to male V4 a stronger and more united voice in European politics and to re-balance Poland’s relations with Germany by building stronger alliances with other former communist states in Central Europe, the Baltics and the Balkans. The question remains, however, to what extent the current unity on the refugee crisis can overcome serious and existing differences regarding Russia and Ukraine? In order to answer the questions on the future of Visegrad cooperation in crisis-torn EU, the editors of the new publication, which was commissioned by HBS and prepared by experts from four reputable Visegrad think-tanks, will discuss the key conclusions following from their analysis of V4 response to the crisis, in the context of the political change in Poland and Slovak parliamentary elections.

10:00 – 10:10  Opening

Małgorzata Kopka, Heinrich Böll Foundation

10:10 – 11:00  Presentation of a book “Diverging Voices, Converging Policies: The Visegrad States’ Reactions to the Russia-Ukraine Conflict”

Jacek Kucharczyk, Institute of Public Affairs

Grigorij Mesežnikov, Institute of Public Affairs, IVO (Slovakia)

Moderation: Agnieszka Lichnerowicz, Radio TOK FM

11.00 – 12:00  Discussion          

The debate will be held in English without translation

Registration at http://www.isp.org.pl/konferencje,932,474.html#register