News from Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Germany and Poland Simply Have to Be Good Neighbours: Körber Policy Paper by Adam Krzemiński

Körber Policy Paper No. 10, another essay in edition Körber Stiftung’s “Standpunkte” series, is now available in English (“Acid Test for Europe. Germany and Poland Simply Have to Be Good Neighbours”). The author, Adam Krzemiński, has worked as a journalist for the Warsaw weekly magazine “Polityka” since 1973.

Krzemiński believes that the Polish-German neighbourship is one of the most difficult in Europe. Historical burdens, ancient prejudices, different levels of economic power and mutual ignorance continue to be sources of disagreement. However, an efficient partnership is absolutely essential. Only if these two neighbours can manage to construct a relaxed relationship will the European Union be given the chance to become more than a political community united by necessity and nothing else.

For this reason Krzemiński urges Germany and Poland to learn how to understand each other’s way of thinking and interests. Thus Germany should get into the habit of not looking down on its neighbour and riding rough-shod over his interests. On the other hand, Poland should not always withdraw instinctively into its shell, but seek to cooperate with Germany in a constructive and self-confident manner.

This is why Krzemiński believes that there ought to be a “German-Polish agenda.” Among other things, he urges Poland and Germany to adopt “a common approach to history,” to work together to promote the Europeanization of Russia, and to give support to initiatives designed to familiarize the two sides with each other such as a joint session of the German and Polish parliaments.

Körber Policy Paper No. 10 as PDF

edition Körber-Stiftung

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