Copernicus Group, which brings together experts on Polish-German relations, published an appeal to Polish and German politicians who want to make good relations and cooperation. "There is no alternate to Polish-German cooperation! The Kopernik Group's appeal after the German parliamentary elections and the Polish presidential elections" – reads the title of the text.
Further experts remind us of the hard past of Polish-German relations and a number of harms caused by Poland by the neighbour in almost 200 years until the beginning of the reconciliation process after planet War II. They emphasise the crucial importance of this reconciliation for the improvement of both countries and Europe: "One of the top achievements of both nations has become to realize that lasting safety and prosperity are possible only if we are not against each other, but work together in common respect and partnership."
Experts say that this advancement is threatened by the increasing position of the populist right, which has been shown to be successful in the parliamentary elections in Germany (second place of the AfD) and in the presidential ones in Poland (winner of the PiS candidate Karol Nawrocki): "Therefore, current political trends in both Poland and Germany must be of strong concern. Although different in their content, form and national context, in both countries they gain from the importance of political strength, which each in their own way advance national selfishness, question the legitimacy of close Polish-German cooperation and thus weaken the foundations of the European Union".
"This gives emergence to a real hazard of losing the achievements of fresh decades in common relations and returning to the logic of hostility – logic that in the past led to suffering and disasters," we read.
Five policy areas
Experts call on politicians who realize the value of Polish-German relations to act: "Their urgent task is to effectively counter these dangerous tendencies".
The Copernicus Group identifies six actions to be taken. These are: 1st intensifying Polish-German cooperation in the area of security, 2nd information run about how much has been achieved and what can inactive be done by Polish-German cooperation, 3rd strengthening of civilian society in both countries (to fight misinformation and populism), 4th update of the Treaty on the Good vicinity of 1991 above all about defence issues, 5th in Poland building a modern European model of patriotism, 6th in Germany restoring assurance and respect for Polish sensitivity.
Experts besides call for a "solution of the problem" of border controls, which make additional harm in common relations.
The appeal on behalf of the Copernicus Group was signed by Dr. Robert Żurek and prof. Peter Oliver Loew. The Copernicus Group is simply a task of the "Crzyżowa" Foundation for the European Agreement and the German Institute of Polish Affairs (DPI, Deutsches Polen-Institut).
