Slovakia’s View of the Visegrad Group

The Polish Institute of International Affairs is an analytical institution established by an act of Parliament in 1996 to carry out research and provide expertise in international affairs. PISM disseminates information on contemporary international issues and maintains contacts with academic and political centres in Poland and abroad. The Institute runs courses for public servants, maintains a library (open to the public; 165,000 books and journals), organises conferences, and publishes books, periodicals and documents on Polish foreign policy and international matters.

The funding for PISM comes from the budget. The director is appointed by the prime minister for a term of five years, following consultation with the minister of foreign affairs. The minister supervises the Institute and appoints its advisory council, which includes a representative of the President of the Republic of Poland, academics and officials.In the debate on the future of the European Union, Slovakia favoured more integration. The sharpening discussion about a multi-speed Europe could undermine political cooperation within the Visegrad Group. Slovakia used the V4 to strengthen its position on selected issues but, at the same time, signaled shortcomings associated with group membership. The response to the possibility that political cooperation would be undermined required joint action on the future of the EU based on the V4 March statement.