Polish and Czech Foreign Ministers Radosław Sikorski and Jan Lipavský met in Prague, emphasizing their commitment to defending the principles violated by Russian aggression in Ukraine. Their discussions, taking place ahead of the Visegrád Group’s Foreign Ministers’ summit, covered a range of critical issues including ammunition initiatives for Ukraine, support for the nation amidst conflict, and the enforcement of sanctions against Russia.
“This proves that with ingenuity, with initiative, one can influence the fate of all of Europe,” he said.💬 Thank you 🇨🇿 for the ammunition initiative. It's proof that creativity can influence the fate of all Europe. 🇵🇱 also confirms its financial and logistical commitment to delivering this ammunition where it is needed.
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs 🇵🇱 (@PolandMFA) March 20, 2024
| FM @sikorskiradek in Prague pic.twitter.com/JSGkWruRKO
Both ministers agreed on the importance of effectively enforcing sanctions against Russia, with Sikorski highlighting the need for joint efforts within the European forum. Drawing parallels to the struggles their countries faced in the 20th century, Sikorski affirmed their stance of solidarity with Ukraine, pledging support not just politically, but in practical terms as well.
Differences must be respectedFM @sikorskiradek has begun his two-day visit to Prague with a meeting with 🇨🇿 FM @JanLipavsky.
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs 🇵🇱 (@PolandMFA) March 20, 2024
Poland-Czechia consultations have confirmed that the two countries speak with one voice on a number of important issues.https://t.co/DPswd5kosx
Lipavský spoke to the need for more countries to join the ammunition initiative and thanked Poland for its crucial geographical role in the matter. He confirmed the intention of 18 countries to purchase artillery ammunition for Ukraine, with funds already raised for 300,000 units and non-binding declarations for an additional 200,000 units.
“If common denominators cannot be found, the V4 countries will simply have to accept their differences,” Sikorski stated. “We respect both Slovakia and Hungary and their right to determine their own positions. Europe does not consist of either Poland alone or the Czech Republic alone. Diplomacy is about convincing each other,” he added.
Cooperation is key
Sikorski praised Hungary’s initiative to increase the budget of the International Visegrád Fund and emphasized the Visegrád Group as a valuable tool for coordinating cooperation in areas of mutual agreement.
Lipavský added that diplomacy should always seek the “lowest common denominator,” highlighting the challenge of finding common ground within the V4 but noting success in finding a unified voice in NATO and the EU.
Premature speculations
Questions arose about the pre-summit meeting between Poland and the Czech Republic indicating a shift to a V2+V2 format within the group, and discussions on potential EU defense commissioner appointments to ensure Central Europe’s success.
Sikorski called such speculation premature, especially with upcoming European Parliament elections, but acknowledged the need for better representation of their region in high positions within the UN, NATO, and the EU systems.
Lipavský emphasized the equal importance of their bilateral meeting to the broader V4 summit discussions, dispelling any notions of underlying political motives.FM @sikorskiradek has begun a visit to Prague, where he will meet with his 🇨🇿 counterpart @JanLipavsky and attend a meeting of the foreign ministers of the Visegrád Group. pic.twitter.com/OlLYanHnTI
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs 🇵🇱 (@PolandMFA) March 20, 2024
Following their meeting, the Czech side highlighted discussions on joint actions to ensure gas security, further underscoring the multifaceted approach both countries are taking to address security, solidarity, and strategic challenges in the region.
