THE STATE OF DEMOCRACY AFTER 25 YEARS critical opposition provides for political competition and is key to determining the quality of democracy. ‡Encourage Dialogue between North and South It is in the EU’s interest to bridge the splits that have emerged in its eastern fringes. Now, more than ever, is it important for post-communist Europe to be united. Dialogue should be strongly encouraged by Brussels. The Visegrad Group (V4) – composed of Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Poland – was once an alliance formed for the purpose of furthering European integration, as well as advancing economic and energy co-operation with one another. When the four countries joined the EU, in 2004, the group was an effective bloc that brought fresh ideas from eager post-communist transitions and provided an advantageous platform for four countries with a common vision for the future. Today, the weakening of the V4 is damaging for both the region and the EU as a whole. Brussels should encourage dialogue between, for instance, Warsaw and Prague; two capitals that have never been so far apart. Likewise, the links between Central Europe and the Baltic states should be repaired. ‡Strengthen Rhetoric, to Overcome Euroscepticism The EU should boost its political rhetoric and remind Central and Eastern Europe that the overwhelming majority of its trade lies with Brussels, not with Russia or China. Disillusionment with the EU in the region, just as in Western Europe, was a result of the global financial crisis that damaged living standards and led to centralised systems of governance. Now, too often, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Romania look eastwards for support. With the current crisis in Ukraine, Europe should do more to protect Central and Eastern European governments and businesses from falling into dependence on corrupt oligarchs and pressure from Putin’s Russia. 14