This essay argues that at the beginning of the 21st century, Central Europe faces a historic opportunity to move beyond the confines of the dependent market economy model and lay the foundations for a renewed regional cooperation. The authors contend that only through a coordinated industrial policy can the countries of the region achieve economic convergence, geopolitical strengthening, and greater strategic resilience within the European Union. The study outlines the potential of regional industrial policy cooperation along three key pillars: infrastructure, investment, and industrial upgrading. It emphasizes that the region’s internal divisions can only be overcome through a deeply embedded, institutionalized partnership. With this essay, the authors aim to launch a broader regional dialogue on the future of cooperation in Central Europe.