The latest issue of the Romanian Journal of European Affairs (Vol. 24, No. 1, June 2024) features an article titled “Different Forms of Summit Diplomacy. Case Study Analysis of the Visegrád Group, the Bucharest Nine, and the Three Seas Initiative,” authored by our project coordinator Jędrzej Błaszczak. This study offers an in-depth analysis of summit diplomacy within Central Europe’s regional formats, specifically the Visegrád Group (V4), the Bucharest Nine (B9), and the Three Seas Initiative (3SI), from 2015 to 2023. It investigates the prevalence of informal regional cooperation mechanisms in this region and their role in addressing shared political and economic challenges.
The article provides a systematic review of summit meetings, focusing on their frequency, location, and the level of political representation involved. The study identifies the distinct characteristics of each format by defining summit diplomacy as high-level meetings between state leaders with official roles and significant influence on foreign policy. The V4, B9, and 3SI are critically examined for their approaches to regional collaboration, highlighting differences in operational practices and their capacity to influence national and regional agendas.
This article significantly contributes to understanding Central Europe’s evolving diplomatic landscape. It sheds light on the mechanisms through which regional summits contribute to policymaking and international cooperation. Scholars, policymakers, and practitioners engaged in diplomacy and regional studies will find this work indispensable in comprehending the strategic importance of summit diplomacy in fostering closer ties among Central European nations.
Read the full article here.
