Announcement from the Copernicus Group
On 24-26 November, the Polish-German Copernicus Group met in Warsaw for its fortieth meeting. The report "Germany and Poland - regaining trust" summarises the joint reflections of the Group members.
Prof. Waldemar Czachur, Warsaw
Prof. Peter Oliver Loew, Darmstadt
15 December 2022
"Germany and Poland - regaining trust"
XXXII report of the Copernicus Group
Poland and Germany are undergoing a serious crisis of confidence. The credibility of both countries has suffered significantly in recent years. But together they can overcome this crisis. The prerequisite for this is intensive Polish-German dialogue.
Germany's credibility crisis is linked to the accusation that it failed to respond adequately to the Russian attack on Ukraine. Both Berlin's long-standing insistence on cooperation with Russia in energy policy and Germany's lack of willingness to take the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, including Poland, seriously in terms of security have contributed to this. Although Chancellor Olaf Scholz already spoke of a 'turning point' in German policy a few days after the outbreak of war, the continued procrastination of support for Ukraine made it impossible to be sure that Berlin's new eastern policy would be consistent.
Poland's credibility crisis is linked to allegations of rule of law violations. The obfuscation of the tripartite division of power, but also the use of public media as a propaganda tool and harsh attacks on both the European Union and Germany have contributed to it. For this reason, Poland's credibility in the eyes of the United States, for example, is already damaged. It would also be very important for a democratic, free Ukraine to have Poland as a neighbour, as a closely integrated state under the rule of law with the European Union.
Both our countries can help each other in those areas where the credibility of a neighbour has been shaken. The Federal Republic of Germany is one of the key countries of the European Union, has been a co-founder of its institutions from the very beginning and would be in a position to facilitate Poland's return to the EU treaty principles. Poland provides particularly significant support to Ukraine and could help Germany regain its position as a reliable partner in the security sphere of the region.
For this to happen, constructive action is needed on both sides.
In order to rebuild trust in Germany among its partners in Central and Eastern Europe, especially in Poland, Berlin must come to terms with its misguided policy towards Russia. This process must be set in motion in a way that is also visible to the outside world - whether through public discussion or in parliamentary debate. The Polish leadership, which has constantly warned against close cooperation with Moscow and dependence on Russia, can be helpful in this. The reckoning of German policy towards Russia can take place in Germany together with Polish partners and taking into account the Polish experience. Poland can support its western neighbour in drawing the right lessons from the past, so that Germany never again becomes so dependent on a state that defines itself against Europe and the European community of countries and ultimately takes a position of hostile confrontation towards it.
In order to rebuild the trust of its European partners in Poland, its government needs to account for its attitude towards the rule of law, but also towards its neighbours in Europe. This process must be set in motion visibly and consistently, even if this will be difficult due to the extreme political polarisation and ideologisation of almost all policy areas. The Federal Republic can help its eastern neighbour to take the path of seeking a compromise. In order to do so, however, it would at least be sensible to end the anti-German campaign.
In order to help each other in a crisis of confidence, joint Polish-German initiatives are desirable. Talks at all levels - among politicians, experts and civil society - must prepare the ground for new cooperation. A new empathy for the neighbour is needed from both sides: we need a German-Polish breakthrough for Europe, which is not hindered by issues from the past (e.g. the reparations issue), but which makes it possible to look at the past as an opportunity for the future (e.g. by creating a memorial for Poles in Berlin and discussing reparations). Concepts for both a rethinking of the European security architecture and a strengthening of the foundations of the rule of law in Europe for the future could be developed bilaterally or in cooperation with other countries. In this way, Europe could not only strengthen itself, but also prepare for the admission of Ukraine into EU structures, which will necessarily lead to a further shift of Europe's centre of gravity to the east and thus increase the importance of the Berlin-Warsaw axis. In order to dispel the reservations of France and other Western countries towards such a change, it would be particularly important to coordinate the joint actions of Germany and Poland.
A new breakthrough should be prepared by a policy of small steps and intensive talks behind the scenes. The recent conversation between Presidents Duda and Steinmeier may prove to be its beginning. We must shape our neighbourhood in Europe in such a way that never again will one country point the finger at another, let alone show it the middle finger.
The Copernicus Group is a project of the German Institute for Polish Affairs and the Krzyżowa Foundation for Mutual Understanding in Europe.
More information about the Copernicus Group: https://bit.ly/3lzWpt6
(The original text, written in Polish, is available: https://www.krzyzowa.org.pl/pl/o-fundacji/aktualnosci-1/4124-komunikat-grupy-kopernika)
