Meeting of V4 Defence Policy Directors in Budapest

This was the first Defence Policy Directorial meeting of the Visegrád Group during the Hungarian presidency between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026. Prime Minister Péter Magyar has identified the reinforcement and expansion of the V4 cooperation as key priorities, as well as the strengthening of Hungary’s role as a reliable and predictable partner in the region. The last such meeting was held in 2023, which also highlights the importance of this event. Accordingly, the meeting took place in an excellent atmosphere, marked by constructive and professionally fruitful dialogue.

The partners discussed the most important current defence policy issues, with particular regard to developments in the strategic environment and the war in Ukraine, the status of preparations for the NATO Summit in Ankara on July 7–8, 2026, and the latest developments in the implementation of the Readiness 2030 agenda aimed at strengthening European defence. Opportunities to further strengthen regional defence cooperation were discussed in relation to every topic.

The parties welcomed Hungary’s initiative and reaffirmed their commitment to the Visegrád Group. The V4 Heads of State and Government Summit on June 23 will be a tangible proof of this, as well as the V4 Meeting of Defence Ministers in Budapest at the end of June. The exchange of views among the Defence Policy Directors also served as a professional preparatory step for this. Slovakia will assume the presidency on July 1, 2026.