07 Mar European Café: New Dimensions – The Relationship Between the V4 and France (event summary)
The Centre for Euro-Atlantic Integration and Democracy (CEID) organized a European Café event on February 12, 2018. The title of the discussion was “New Dimensions – The Relationship Between the V4 and France.” Experts from France and the V4 explored areas of cooperation and examined significant policy areas that will help ensure lasting relations.
The election of Emmanuel Macron in May 2017 was a potent symbol of Paris’s renewed belief that the V4 countries are vital stakeholders in the future of Europe. It is clear that Macron sees the V4 countries, with their newfound power acquired at least in nominal PR terms, as essential cogs in the building of his Europe. But unlike his predecessors, he seems to understand the value and power of bilateral relationships. While it remains unclear if he respects the V4 format, he knows that the internal trends of the V4 may well spur the development of a multi-speed Europe, which he stated that he wants to avoid.
Macron’s ambitious plans for Europe revolves around mutual success on the grounds of further cooperation and integration. The panelists discussed how increased cooperation between the V4 and France hinges on the practicalities of implementing Macron’s designs and preventing the creation of a multi-speed Europe where the V4 countries become second class member states. One critical aspect for the V4 is the success of the Euro even though Slovakia is the only member of the Eurozone. Central Europe is the fastest growing market in the EU, and its continued success is tied to Western Eurozone members.
The economic connection between the V4 and Western European countries is a positive sign for integration, but there are fears that the V4 countries are becoming further isolated due to ongoing disagreements with the European Commission. These countries continually emphasize the need for national capitals to have a voice in the EU decision making process while Macron’s plan lays out paths towards further centralization. As Central Europe becomes further isolated, it has the effect of creating a multi-speed system of integration between Western and Central Europe. The experts on the panel remained skeptical that this process can be reversed and full European integration achieved.
Another crucial element of Macron’s European vision revolves around expanding the Eurozone and developing a centralized finance minister. Under EU ascension agreements, EU countries are required to join the Euro, but at this time, Poland and the Czech Republic remain highly and opposed to Euro adoption plans. However, the experts highlighted how EU membership and the four freedoms contributed significantly to the success of a country like the Czech Republic even though its voter base is predominately Eurosceptic. This situation allows Macron to possibly attract Prague as an ally for his Euro visions and begin developing plans to bring the other V4 members into his circle by emphasizing the benefits of membership.
While there remain many conflicting viewpoints between the V4 and France, one solidifying area of cooperation remains security. Topics such as PESCO and the increased roles for the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy tie the regions together. There is a mutual interest in strengthening the external borders, controlling the migration crises and the fight against terrorism.
There remain many unanswered questions regarding Macron’s future of Europe and how the V4 fits into his narrative, and the recent developments towards a multi-speed Europe pose challenges to the unity and common interests of Europe. However, there are many bright areas of cooperation existing between the V4 and France that need to be prioritized to ensure the functionality of the V4 and cement its institutional relationship with France.
