Strengthening Relations Between Germany and Poland

Germany and Poland have fostered a deep and multifaceted relationship over the years, marked by numerous collaborations and agreements.

Since the 1950s, the German-Polish partnership has expanded to include over 500 city partnerships, three twin cities, and four Euroregions. This extensive network serves as a testament to the mutual respect and cooperation between the two nations.

One of the key institutions driving this collaboration is the German-French Youth Office, founded by the governments of both countries in 1991. This organisation has supported around 3 million young people in implementing bilateral programs over the past three decades.

The Foundation for German-Polish Cooperation, established simultaneously, has funded approximately 16,000 joint projects over the last 30 years. These projects have laid the groundwork for improved understanding and cooperation between the two nations.

The German labor market's full opening in 2011 further strengthened these ties, as Poland became an increasingly important workforce for Germany. Today, around 880,000 Polish citizens live in Germany, with a total of 2.2 million people of Polish origin residing there.

Germany has been Poland's most significant trading partner for over two decades. This economic interdependence is further reinforced by four committees that support the work of the government commission in the fields of cross-border cooperation, spatial planning, interregional cooperation, and educational cooperation.

Cooperation in the Weimar Triangle, an informal network established by the foreign ministers of Germany, Poland, and France in August 1991, is considered a catalyst for Europe. This extended format of consultations on foreign and European political issues has played a crucial role in shaping the bilateral relations between Germany and Poland.

The German-Polish Government Commission for Cross-Border and Interregional Cooperation meets annually. The German co-chair is Ambassador Catalina Cullas, while the Polish co-chair is Paweł Dąbroński.

The German Bundestag's decision to create a prominent site in Berlin dedicated to the Polish victims of World War II and the Nazi occupation in October 2020 underscores the commitment of both nations to remembering and learning from their shared history.

The German-Polish Treaty on Good Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation, signed on June 17, 1991, serves as the basis for the intense political dialogue and inter-societal contacts between Germany and Poland. This treaty outlines political, economic, and cultural goals for cooperation, acknowledging a shared responsibility for building a new Europe united by human rights, democracy, and the rule of law.

Further information can be found in the Final Protocol, German-Polish Action Plan, and the committees for Cross-Border Cooperation, Interregional Cooperation, Educational Cooperation, Spatial Planning, and the Oder Partnership. The last meeting of the government commission took place on December 4 and 5, 2024, in Stettin. The next meeting is scheduled for 2025 in Germany.