IVF Secretary and the CEFTA – Bratislava
Fact of the Hungarian figure „Begining of the V4 (1335 and 1991)”
Part of the „Back to Europe together” topic
The historical significance of Bratislava in relation to the formation of the Visegrad Group (V4) and the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) is a reminder of Central Europe’s efforts toward regional cooperation and integration with Europe. Although the V4 traces its roots back to the 14th century with the 1335 meeting of the kings of Hungary, Poland, and Bohemia, the modern reestablishment of the group in 1991 marked a critical moment in the post-communist era. The Visegrad Group’s goal was to foster cooperation and guide the newly liberated countries of Central Europe—Hungary, Poland, Czechoslovakia (later Slovakia and the Czech Republic)—on their path toward European integration.
The V4 was formed in the context of a broader shift in Central Europe toward democratic governance and market economy. The „Back to Europe” narrative reflects the shared desire of these nations to rejoin the European community after decades of Soviet influence. One of the key milestones in this journey was the establishment of CEFTA in 1992, which aimed to foster economic cooperation, liberalize trade, and prepare its member states for eventual integration into the European Union.
Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, played a central role in these developments. As the seat of the IVF (International Visegrad Fund) Secretariat, Bratislava became a hub for initiatives that strengthened collaboration between the V4 countries. The IVF has funded cultural, educational, scientific, and political projects to reinforce the bonds between Visegrad nations and their European aspirations. These efforts, rooted in the historical cooperation that dates back to 1335, highlight the importance of Bratislava as a center of Central European diplomacy and regional cohesion.
The Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) is a key international trade organization that brings together several Central and Southeast European countries. Initially formed in 1992 by the Visegrád Group nations—Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia (later the Czech Republic and Slovakia)—CEFTA aimed to promote trade liberalization, economic integration, and preparation for eventual European Union membership. The original agreement was signed in Krakow on December 21, 1992, and came into effect in July 1994.
Over the years, CEFTA has evolved significantly. As its original members joined the European Union, they exited the agreement, passing the baton to newer members from Southeast Europe. Countries like Slovenia, Romania, and Bulgaria joined CEFTA in the late 1990s and early 2000s, but each of these nations left the organization upon joining the EU in 2004 and 2007. Croatia followed this path when it became an EU member in 2013.
Today, CEFTA consists of seven member states: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia. These countries continue to benefit from CEFTA’s platform for economic cooperation, aiming to boost trade, reduce tariffs, and harmonize trade-related regulations. While CEFTA’s initial purpose was to prepare its original members for EU accession, its current role is vital for Southeast European nations that are still working toward EU integration. CEFTA remains a vital economic agreement, especially for fostering cooperation and economic growth in the Western Balkans.
The role of Bratislava, both as the home of the IVF Secretariat and as a former key participant in CEFTA, symbolizes the importance of regional cooperation in shaping Central Europe’s post-communist future. The V4 and CEFTA were not only about economic or political collaboration but also about reestablishing historical and cultural connections that had been disrupted during the Cold War.
