Drugi Niemiecko-Polski Ekspercki Okrągły Stół

In 2017, challenges to the German-Polish relations on European issues have abounded. First of all, the two countries differ on some of the ideas for the future of the EU, which is moving increasingly towards a ‘multi-speed Europe’, with a rising role of the Eurozone as the “hard core” of European integration. Secondly, the above-mentioned scenario probably will pass from ‘probable’ to ‘unavoidable’ after 2017 elections in France and Germany, because pro-European candidates and parties emerged victorious. Meanwhile, the Polish government is skeptical about Poland’s accession to the Eurozone with the support of majority of Polish society in this regard. What is even more important, the internal politics of Polish government is perceived by the great majority of European political forces as the rejection of liberal democracy and rule of law which may prove to be irreconcilable with European integration. Finally, Europe will have to cope with the “return of geopolitics” (e.g. transatlantic tensions under Trump; Russian security threat; China’s growing interest in Central Europe, the radical Islamic terrorism) – and it is unclear whether governments of Poland and Germany will always agree on what should be done in all of these respects. In order to find solutions to key European dilemmas and challenges, not only an effective collective action is required but also a constructive cooperation among Member States, including between Berlin and Warsaw. The identification of Polish and German positions on European issues requires a prior insight into the determinants of current foreign policies of both countries. In order to achieve this goal we launched our project which is composed of two parts: blog and seminar. They are dedicated to enable an open exchange of views concerning all of the most important and contentious elements of the European agenda which unite and divide Poland and Germany today and strengthen a constructive and inclusive long-term German-Polish dialogue on European issues, in particular at the expert and policy-making levels.