Poland’s Relations with Germany
Poland’s Relations with Germany

Summary/Abstract: „The year 2005—the first calendar year of the common membership of Poland and Germany in the European Union—demonstrated that two factors should be taken into account in an evaluation of the Polish-German relations. First, that it is necessary to realize and accept the fact (particularly in Poland) that—irrespective of the treaty basis and the hitherto achievements in the cooperation, conflicts must exist in Poland’s relations with Germany, though they will vary in their intensity. They are a natural thing and will be an inherent element in contacts not only between Poland and Germany. There exists a substantial economic asymmetry between the two countries. They have different (and quite often very different) interests both within and outside the EU. Mutual distrust and prejudices are still visible in their societies. Thus, it was an error to expect that after the breakthrough of 1989 and later after Poland’s accession to the EU, bilateral relations would be free from conflicts.“

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