German-Polish Relations

Current political debate and media coverage in both countries show that German-Polish relations are a topical and socio-politically relevant issue. The two neighbouring countries at the centre of Europe have a common history that reaches back for centuries, and since Poland's accession to the European Union on 1 May 2004, they also have a common European future.
The past touches upon the present, and all too often, individuals and groups on both sides of the border fall prey to the temptation of placing group interests above the vested interest of both countries or of exploiting the dark aspects of the two countries' common history for domestic policy purposes.
Responsible politicians on both sides, such as both countries' presidents, the German chancellors or the Polish prime ministers, have impressively demonstrated by their actions that the best prospects for both countries lie in a peaceful and neighbourly co-existence - as members of the European Union.

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(Text in polnischer Sprache/ Text in Polish language/ Tekst w języku polskim)

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Rainer Gries
Deputy Manager of the Library of
the Friedrich Ebert Foundation