V4 [antikvár]

I am glad that owing to the initiative and effort ofthe Bratislava Self-Governing Region and its partner regions in Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland has the revised edition of the book "Visegrád Regions and their Capitals" come to light. This remarkable book offers valuable data and information about all self-governing regions in the Visegrád Group in as many as five European languages. I highly appreciate the author and publisher of this book for their initiative which helps promote the Visegrád "trade-mark" in Europe, strengthens cohesion and exchange of experiences among the Visegrád regions and the European Union. This unique project of civic diplomacy was supported by the International Visegrád Fund. Moreover, I am particularly glad that the Slovak Republic, which currently presides over the Visegrád Group, supports one the key priorities ofthe Visegrád cooperation - strengthening of régiónál cooperation, development of transport and energy infrastructure, including sectoral cooperation in the economic, energy security, commercial, cultural, scientific and technological areas. This is further confirmed by the motto of the Slovak V4 presidency: "Efficient Visegrád - Continuity, Cohesion, Solidarity, Awareness". On February 15, 2011, we will commemorate the 20th anniversary ofthe Visegrád Group. Foundations and strategic framework of this grouping were laid down by presidents of the Czechoslovak Federative Republic, Poland and prime minister of Hungary during their meeting in Visegrád in 1991. The 20th anniversary ofthe Visegrád Group provides an opportunity to highlight the importance of this historical event for our common Visegrád presence, peace, stability and prosperity of our region. I believe that our V4 group has a great deal to contribute to fulfillment of the aforementioned goals via its active and coordinated actions in the EU and NATO. Next year represents a milestone for our Visegrád Group - it will be a "Visegrád Year" in the European Union since two of our partners, Hungary and Poland, will preside over the European Union. Therefore, the coming year 2011 presents a common chailenge and responsibility to all of us for a successful Visegrád presidency in the EU. I am convinced that in the next stage of our régiónál cooperation we will efficiently pursuit our interests and needs of our regions and cities on the European level.