Central European countries are becoming more influential within the European Union, according to the Croatian government, as leaders from the region convened at the Bled Strategic Forum on 1 September 2026.

Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković participated in a panel titled "Shaping Europe from its Centre" alongside Czech Prime Minister Babiš, Hungarian Prime Minister Magyar, and Slovenian Prime Minister Janša. The panel brought together heads of government from four Central European states to discuss the region's increasing weight in EU affairs.

The forum served as a platform for the leaders to present a collective Central European perspective on the direction of EU policy.

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