In brief
On Nov. 4, the V4 presidents held a summit in Trencin, Slovakia, where EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen attended for the 1st time in such a meeting. The leaders discussed ways to deepen regional cooperation and strengthen the V4’s influence in the EU. The venue’s historic ties – Trencin was the site of the 1335 Treaty of Trencin, an early meeting that inspired the modern V4 – added symbolic weight to the summit.
On Nov. 4, the V4 presidential summit opened in Trencin, Slovakia. V4—the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia—gathered under the hosting of Slovak President Peter Pellegrini. The meeting was attended by Czech President Petr Pavel, Polish President Karol Nawrocki, Hungarian President Andras Baka, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, marking the first time the EU Commission head has joined a V4 presidential summit.
Ursula von der Leyen’s presence signals a growing closeness between the V4 and EU institutions. The group intends to use this meeting to build stronger regional ties and push for greater influence within the European Union. The Slovak President’s Office said that the summit would focus on common interests and ways the four countries can move their position forward in EU decision‑making.
The choice of Trencin for the summit is symbolic. It is the 2026 European Capital of Culture and was the site of the Treaty of Trencin in 1335, a medieval meeting that has historic links to the V4’s heritage. This historic backdrop underscores the group’s aim to revive cooperation among the four nations.
According to the Slovak President’s Office, the presence of the EU Commission President also offers a chance to discuss shared priorities directly within a broader European framework. The gathering is seen by the V4 as a step toward revitalizing cooperation and strengthening the four countries’ collective voice in European affairs.
