East Central European Cooperation in Times of Crisis

Can a set of ideas change the world? Most certainly, they can... today we chatted about our region’s infrastructure, geopolitics, and geoeconomy with a bunch of incredible academics and foreign policy experts from a huge variety of independent and proud nations from our region. We discussed the future of the Vysehrad Group, Three Seas Initiative, Bucharest Nine Initiative, Danube Initiative, Via Carpatia, and Via Baltica, as well as many other regional infrastructural projects that can change the future of the region. I argued that despite our differences in responding to the Russian aggression in Ukraine, our region must continue to work together to improve our infrastructure. This ultimately improves our resolve in facing any outside threats coming from Russia and other states driven by neo-imperialist policies. I still argued that we have a lot of things to learn from China, the United Arab Emirates, the African Union, and Latin America to put our collaboration on the fast track. These days Europe, especially Western Europe, settled for less than we are capable of. I also suggested that NATO should take more responsibility for the military aspects of our transatlantic security. I claimed that the EU should be less involved in any conflict management because, in the end, it is a business project. I also argued that the European Union should invite countries such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Albania, Serbia, North Macedonia, Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Ukraine, and Belarus to become full members of our organization sooner rather than later for otherwise we will not be able to compete with China, India or Russia as equals and we would end up marginalized. Finally, I argued that the European Union should be bold in its strategic thinking, or it will lose its momentum and seize to exist. Thank you, Bálint L Toth & Mathias Corvinus Collegium - MCC, for organizing this incredible event. Hungary is known for its incredible hospitality, professionalism, and intellectually stimulating environment.