- Marek Truth referred to the deterioration of relations after PiS came to power and noted that German-Polish Society activists in Berlin had to show “strong nervousness” at that time.
- The German government’s representative for contacts with Poland, Dietmar Nietan, said that Germany had a “debt to pay” to Poland.
- Referring to Polish-German cooperation in support of Ukraine, Dietmar Nietan stressed that Germany needs Poland as a partner who “sometimes kicks Germany’s ass, but not in comments published in anti-German newspapers, but behind closed doors, as its partners do . “
- A lively discussion ensued around plans for a memorial and meeting place in Berlin dedicated to Poles – victims of the war and German occupation.
- Anna Kwiatkowska of the Center for Eastern Studies questioned Germany’s aspirations to lead in Europe and plans to limit its veto power on matters relating to EU foreign policy.
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— Polish-German relations have always been of interest to political enthusiasts. Therefore, we must look for arguments that can protect us from these things and prevent them from taking over society’s collective imagination, said Marek Truth, former ambassador of the Republic of Poland to Germany and Sweden, on Friday during the anniversary celebrations 50th. of the German-Polish Society in Berlin (DPGB).
Marek Truth referred to the worsening of relations after PiS came to power and noted that Union activists had to show “strong nervousness” at that time. The victory of the democratic opposition in Poland shows that victory in unfair elections is possible, and also shows that the tide of populism is not irreversible.
Founded in April 1973 in West Berlin, the DPGB is one of the oldest organizations of its type having been founded in Germany since the early 1970s, following a wave of interest in Poland following the establishment of diplomatic relations between Warsaw and Bonn. The capital organization currently has about 300 members.
In the service sector of interest
One of the founders of the DPGB and its chairman, Christian Schroeter, recalled that trying to reach an agreement with Poland was not easy during the Cold War and the division into east and west. The authorities considered us “politically suspicious”; We are supervised by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution, said the DPGB Chairman.
As he mentioned, together with the SPD youth organization “Sokoły”, he organized a trip to the former German concentration camp Auschwitz. After martial law was imposed in Poland in December 1981, members of the Berlin Society organized aid transports to Poland and raised money.
After the fall of the Iron Curtain in 1989, cultural activity became increasingly important, as evidenced by the “Culture Train” operating between Berlin and Wrocław since 2018. Exhibitions about Władysław Bartoszewski, so far shown in more than 30 German cities, are very popular .
Germany’s debt to Poland
Opening discussions on the second day of the congress, on Saturday, the German government’s plenipotentiary for contacts with Poland, Dietmar Nietan, said that Germany had a “debt to pay” to Poland. According to him, employees of the German Foreign Ministry are working intensively to fill the drawers in the ministry with good ideas.
— However, this is not about the German government’s strategy to reach out to Polish citizens, as this would be a burden for PiS, but about the fact that Germany has a proposal. When, what and how it is implemented will depend on consultations with the Polish government. He had to organize his tactics, explained the SPD politician.
Referring to Polish-German cooperation in support of Ukraine, Dietmar Nietan stressed that Germany needs Poland as a partner who “sometimes kicks Germany’s ass, but not in comments published in anti-German newspapers, but behind closed doors, as its partners do . ” . According to him, the two governments must now invest resources and money in cooperation between civil society and cross-border cooperation.
The long road to the Memorial in Berlin
A lively discussion ensued around plans for a memorial and meeting place in Berlin dedicated to Poles – victims of the war and German occupation. The project, currently called the German-Polish House, was intended to contribute to deepening the German people’s lack of knowledge about the suffering of the war in Poland.
The thesis that Germans know little about Poland is “both true and false,” said Peter Loew, director of the Polish Affairs Institute (DPI) in Darmstadt. — This is true because not much knowledge has been gained about neighboring countries with which Germany has had close ties for centuries. On the other hand, compared to other neighbors, knowledge of Poland is not so bad – he said. According to him, Poland’s presence in the public consciousness of German society has become stronger in recent years, also as a result of PiS’s confrontational policies.
— When Germans look to the East, they still see Russia, not Ukraine, Belarus or Poland, said Uwe Neumaerker, head of the European Monuments to the Murder of Jews Foundation. — A lot has changed in recent years, but it’s not enough, he added. – The West does not listen to the East – emphasizes the German historian.
The foundation led by Neumaerker is implementing the German-Polish House project in collaboration with DPI. German historians assured that the function of commemorating Poland’s war dead would be taken into account in the project. — However, German-Polish relations cannot be reduced to six years of war and occupation. We need to show the entire history of reciprocity over a thousand years, he stressed.
The 80th anniversary of the outbreak of the war is approaching
In spring 2024, the German-Polish House construction project will be presented. — The five to ten year timeframe (for project implementation) is unfortunately close to reality, said Uwe Neumaerker, noting that regardless of the facility’s founding date, DPI is already carrying out educational activities for the younger generation.
Germany’s consul general in Gdańsk, Cornelia Pieper, called on German authorities to create a symbolic memorial site “as a matter of urgency”, regardless of long-term plans. He recalled that next year will be the 80th anniversary of the outbreak of World War II.
He proposed launching a competition for a work of art that could serve as a memorial site until the German-Polish House was built. — Symbolism plays a big role in Polish consciousness, emphasizes Cornelia Pieper.
Can Germany lead Europe?
Anna Kwiatkowska of the Center for Eastern Studies questioned Germany’s aspirations to lead in Europe and plans to limit its veto power on matters relating to EU foreign policy.
— Stopping the veto or voting for a qualified majority on sensitive issues such as foreign and security policy would be a project that would destroy the EU – an OSW analyst warns.
According to him, the wrong policy towards Russia led to the loss of Germany’s credibility. — For 20 years, German politicians have implemented policies that undermine the most sensitive security and economic interests of the EU and NATO. Our biggest and best partners, who are with us in the two most important organizations for us, namely the EU and NATO, put their political and economic interests ahead of third parties who are not part of these alliances, and undermine our security – explains the expert. Therefore, in his opinion, Germany’s proposals for EU reform are unacceptable.
There are about 50 German-Polish associations in Germany. Since 1992, their activities have been coordinated by the Federal Association of Polish-German Societies. The FZTNP’s annual congresses are held alternately in Germany and Poland.
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