The Quadrilateral Initiative (Q4) has concluded successfully with Italy lending its support for Slovenia, Hungary and Croatia’s integration into Euro-Atlantic institutions. From now on the various activities will be pursued in the broader frameworks of the EU, NATO, the Central European Initiative (CEI) and the Regional Cooperation Council.
After 14 years of cooperation the Q4 (begun as a trilateral initiative involving Italy, Slovenia and Hungary, to which Croatia was added in 2000) has fully achieved its purpose. Hungary entered NATO in 1999, while Slovenia and Hungary joined the EU in 2004. That same year Slovenia became a NATO member and it was Croatia’s turn in 2009, which is now aiming at EU membership.
The Q4 discussed internal affairs, defence and transport and infrastructure in meetings between technical experts that were often flanked by ministerial meetings. Discussions on infrastructure and transport will now be transferred to the Regional Cooperation Council and the CEI, while defence and internal affairs will be addressed in NATO and EU policies.