The Role of Visegrad Countries in Central and Eastern Europe

During the migrant crisis Visegrad countries represent a separate, special position in the European Union. This paper investigates the broader context of this position. It raises the question if migration crisis is a special issue or Visegrad countries will be a permanent grouping in European policy formation.  Their dependence on FDI and their international economic relations have severe impact on their room for manoeuvre in European politics. Their relations with Germany and their participation in the Central European manufacturing core have great importance from this viewpoint. This paper compares the economic embeddedness of Visegrad countries in the EU with other Central and Eastern European member states’ trade relations. Based on this background, it analyses the opportunity whether Visegrad countries can become organizers of the position of several Central and Eastern European countries, especially if the European Union will develop as a differentiated integration.