The panel was divided into two thematic parts – “A Sleeping Giant? How to Guide Europe through Revolutions in Global Trade?” and “Threat or Opportunity? How to Fix Our Economies in a World of Challenges?” The speakers in the first part were Samina Sultan from the German Economic Institute and Jan Strzelecki from the Polish Economic Institute. In the second part, the speakers were Ignacy Morawski from Puls Biznesu and Hubertus Bardt from the German Economic Institute. The discussion was moderated by Marcin Klucznik from the Polish Economic Institute.
During the first panel, the speakers did not conceal that the economic situation in Europe is difficult. They pointed to a growing number of tensions and challenges as factors affecting Polish-German relations. Tariffs introduced by the United States, supply chain instability, Russia’s war in Ukraine, and the climate and energy crisis – all these elements are redefining economic cooperation in Europe.
In this context, Samina Sultan emphasised that Poland is gaining significance in Europe, not only as a growing sales market but also as a strategic economic partner. According to the panellist, Europe must become independent of foreign raw materials and technologies, which makes Poland a particularly valuable country. It is becoming a bridge between Eastern and Western Europe. This is owed not only to its geographical location but also to its significant technological potential.
At the same time, the panellists did not shy away from difficult questions – Jan Strzelecki emphasised that it is the energy shock caused by Russia’s war in Ukraine that constitutes the most serious crisis for the European economy in decades. Dependence on Russian gas and oil hit energy-intensive industries across Europe particularly hard. As a consequence, it leads to a loss of competitiveness of European products compared to those from China, which are cheaper to produce due to lower energy costs and lenient regulations, for example in terms of labour law in that country.
The panellists emphasised that this same crisis has given rise to a dangerous trend – European societies are becoming radicalised and increasingly susceptible to populist actions. Strzelecki warned that growing social discontent could translate into political pressure and a return to past solutions, such as Nord Stream or a thaw in relations with Russia. Meanwhile, according to the expert, Europe should not retreat but boldly invest in independence and modern energy infrastructure.
The issue of innovation, or rather the problems with its implementation, returned in the next panel. Ignacy Morawski pointed to excessive bureaucracy and an overly slow decision-making process as elements effectively hindering a swift European Union response to crisis situations. The development of small technology companies is blocked by a web of complicated regulations, making it difficult for them to raise capital. Hubertus Bardt acknowledged that the complexity of bureaucracy is a real problem, but at the same time ironically noted that it does not affect Europe alone: – “The United States is bureaucratic. Japan too – try getting something done at a Japanese bank, and I guarantee you will be 2 years older by the time you manage!” – he said.
According to Bardt, Europe’s biggest problem is insufficient funding of innovative projects. Often, technology companies that cannot find financing in Europe seek support on other continents – usually in America. As a result, enterprises slip out from under European control into another jurisdiction whose interests do not always align with European priorities.
Ignacy Morawski expanded on the difference in the development model between the US and Europe. He noted that the United States is more innovative and dynamic but at the same time struggles with deeper social inequalities and a greater risk of failure. Europe, on the other hand, focuses on stability and social solidarity, albeit at the cost of productivity. The panellists agreed, however, that Europe should not copy the American path but develop its own – consistent with its values yet bolder than before.
Despite numerous diagnoses and warnings, the discussion was not catastrophic in character. It concluded with the conviction that Europe still has enormous potential that must be consciously unlocked. An example of such success is Airbus – a European aviation consortium that would not have come into being without European integration. These examples show that such cooperation – and Polish-German cooperation in particular – can be not only a response to mounting crises but also a space for building innovation.
When the audience took the floor, questions arose concerning the direction of Europe’s development, the funding of research and innovation, as well as the role of education. These questions showed that the panel’s title was in essence the beginning of a conversation, not its conclusion. The answer to how Poland and Germany can ensure their prosperity is a real challenge that both economies must confront here and now.
The panel, organised by the Polish Economic Institute and the German Economic Institute, took place at the Polish-German Forum 2025, organised by the Foundation for Polish-German Cooperation on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland and the Federal Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany.
Mikołaj Chomka