This study serves to lay the conceptual and intellectual groundwork for the project. Regarding its structure, it analyzes the Visegrad experience in six units: after a substantive introduction, four chapters follow as the main body of the study, with a comprehensive conclusion. Each unit contains also a brief analysis of the applicability of the particular segment of the Visegrad experience. The introduction outlines Visegrad history. Chapter One focuses on the structure of intergovernmental cooperation and the Visegrad cooperation’s role in regional security. In Chapter Two we delve into how the Visegrad Group has fared within the EU while the economic aspects of Visegrad are analyzed in Chapter Three. The themes of civil society and cross border cooperation are discussed in Chapter Four. Finally, in the Conclusion, an elaborate analysis of the successes and lessons learned of Visegrad cooperation is presented, with special regard to the applicability of these experiences.

We hereby wish to thank our partners who contributed their precious expertise to this work.