Germany and Poland signed the Neighborhood Treaty 30 years ago.
For the anniversary, the presidents of both countries draw a positive balance - despite discrepancies.
Warsaw (dpa) - Germany and Poland want to further deepen their close relations despite existing disagreements.
The German-Polish neighborhood is "one of the great European success stories of the past 30 years", said Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Thursday after consultations with his Polish counterpart Andrzej Duda in Warsaw exactly 30 years after the signing of the German-Polish neighborhood treaty. Duda emphasized: "As a result of these 30 years we are intertwined today - in the most positive sense of the word."
Steinmeier said there was no need to gloss over anything in this neighborhood.
“Of course there are sometimes different interests.
Of course there are sometimes different points of view. ”But they want to listen to each other in the future as well.
"Listening to why the other person may disagree or prefer other ways, that is the decisive factor in order to find solutions to the open questions (...) again and again." The Federal President emphasized: "We take criticism seriously." solutions to some of the open questions appeared.
Like two neighboring farms
Duda emphasized that Poland and Germany are like two neighboring farms whose owners sometimes have contentious questions, "but are generally ready to marry their children together". Many Polish families owed their material livelihood to the extremely successful economic cooperation between the two countries. Nevertheless, the meeting with Steinmeier is no picnic, in which unpleasant topics are excluded.
Both sides agreed to promote support for the respective minorities.
For example, Polish lessons in Germany are to be promoted with a special fund of five million euros annually.
In addition, the refurbishment of the “Polish House” in Bochum is guaranteed by the additional funding promised by the federal government, said Steinmeier.
The planned memorial for the Polish victims of National Socialism in Berlin is in the implementation phase.
Solve conflicts peacefully
The neighborhood agreement was signed on June 17, 1991 after the end of the Cold War. The document signed by the then Federal Chancellor Helmut Kohl and the Polish Prime Minister Jan Krzysztof Bielecki stipulated, among other things, the inviolability of the borders. Germany and Poland promised to resolve conflicts exclusively by peaceful means. The agreement also regulates the rights of the German minority in Poland and of Germans of Polish origin. It also assured Poland of German support in moving closer to the EU, which the country then joined in 2004.
In the afternoon Steinmeier wanted to lay a wreath at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The Federal President and Duda also want to discuss with teenagers and young adults from both countries.
Steinmeier also meets with the chairman of the International Auschwitz Committee, Marian Turski.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210617-99-26615 / 6
+
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (l) and Polish President Andrzej Duda speak at a press conference after their conversation in the official residence of the Polish President.
© Bernd von Jutrczenka
+
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier arrives at Frederic Chopin Airport with an Airbus of the Bundeswehr ready to fly.
© Bernd von Jutrczenka
