Regional defence and security cooperation, such as Nordic, Baltic, Visegrad partnership and the UK-France Treaty, set a good example for European defence cooperation and bring a systematic element to the further transformation of NATO. Previous ad-hoc attempts to establish closer security collaboration in the V4 lacked a broader long-term vision, so they have never developed into serious and sustainable defence partnership. Currently, there are loose informal networks and little expert exchange among the V4 countries, no regional security identity and almost no research that would define the vision and drive for long-term regional cooperation. The main aim of the project is to overcome this gap and draw a clear vision of a closer defence collaboration initiative of Visegrad countries. The DAV4 expert group will elaborate recommendations for security coalition that would enable countries to maintain or increase the capability of their armed forces, in spite of current defence austerity trends. The outcome of the research will be a policy brief supported by a comprehensive study, outlining the limits and opportunities of Visegrad defence partnership. The document will bring a vision of V4 defence cooperation for the next 10 – 15 years and will also serve as a roadmap for the respective governments to help them lead and intensify security collaboration.
