GODOLLO, Hungary — The leaders of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia convened Tuesday to revive their regional alliance, the Visegrád Four, marking the first summit of the group in over two years. The meeting, held at Grassalkovich Castle in Gödöllő near Budapest, aimed to mend divisions that had emerged amid differing approaches to the war in Ukraine, particularly in response to former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s pro-Russian stance.

Hungary’s new Prime Minister, Péter Magyar, who succeeded Orbán in May, hosted the summit and emphasized the importance of restoring cooperation among the four Central European nations. Magyar has consistently advocated for revitalizing the informal bloc, which has historically focused on issues including regional security, economic development, and migration.

During the hour-long meeting, the prime ministers explored a variety of topics of mutual interest. Magyar proposed the establishment of a high-speed rail network connecting the capitals of the Visegrád countries — Prague, Budapest, Warsaw, and Bratislava — to enhance connectivity and economic integration.

In addition, discussions addressed shared challenges such as energy security, agricultural policy coordination, and managing illegal immigration. These areas reflect ongoing concerns in the region, where energy dependence and migration flows have been perennial issues.

While the summit marked a clear shift away from the divisions seen under Orbán’s leadership, its outcomes remain preliminary. The leaders expressed a willingness to cooperate more closely, but details on concrete agreements or timelines for proposed projects were not disclosed. The gathering signals a renewed commitment to regional dialogue as the Visegrád Four seek to navigate complex geopolitical and economic pressures in Central Europe.