Bilateral Meeting of Polish and German foreign ministers

Ministers Radosław Sikorski and Johann Wadephul spoke about security policy and Ukraine’s fight with the Russian aggressor. They also discussed transatlantic relations, cooperation in NATO, the future and enlargement of the European Union, as well as the situation in the Middle East.

The Russian aggression against Ukraine is a test of our responsibility and far-sightedness. We will continue to support Ukraine together and to boost the security not only of the eastern flank but of the entire Community.

Bilateral relations, including defence cooperation and historical matters, were high on the agenda. Also, Minister Sikorski emphasised that infrastructure links between Poland and Germany should be expanded.

Polish-German economic cooperation is a source of satisfaction. Bilateral trade continues to reach new record highs. With trade amounting to €180 billion last year, Poland is one of Germany’s most important trading partners. (...) But let us not pretend there are no difficult issues—as is often the case between neighbours. What matters is that we are able to discuss them openly. (...) Over the past 30 years, only one new cross-border bridge has been built, despite the fact that goods worth €500 million cross our shared border every single day.

The ministers signed the Joint Statement by the Republic of Poland and the Federal Republic of Germany on the 35th Signing Anniversary of the Treaty between the Republic of Poland and the Federal Republic of Germany on Good Neighbourly Relations and Friendly Cooperation.

Polish–German Forum on the 35th signing anniversary of the Treaty

Meetings and talks at the Forum were held in the context of a signing anniversary of the Treaty on Good Neighbourly Relations and Friendly Cooperation, concluded exactly 35 years ago, on 17 June 1991. As usual, the Forum offered room for dialogue between representatives of the civil society, experts, entrepreneurs, and cultural and scientific circles.

The event featured ten thematic panels on economy, security, society, education, culture, youth, global policies, culture of remembrance, Europe, and language. Discussed were, among other topics, enhancing domestic and European defence capabilities, support for Ukraine, adequate response to long-term threats posed by Russia, and the ways to strengthen the EU.

Much attention was paid to important bilateral issues such as history, teaching Polish in Germany and German in Poland, and cooperation in culture and education.

This year’s Polish–German Forum was organised, for the second consecutive year, by the Foundation for Polish–German Cooperation on the initiative of Poland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Germany’s Federal Foreign Office. This edition was hosted by the German side. “Neighbourhood in a time of change. 35 years of Polish–German cooperation,” the Forum’s motto, refers to today’s 35th signing anniversary of the Treaty between the Republic of Poland and the Federal Republic of Germany on Good Neighbourly Relations and Friendly Cooperation of 17 June 1991.

The Polish–German Forum was opened by Henryka Mościcka-Dendys, the MFA’s Director-General and chair of the Council for Cooperation with the Federal Republic of Germany, and Knut Abraham, coordinator of German–Polish Intersocietal and Cross-Border Cooperation. Director-General Mościcka-Dendys and Coordinator Abraham participated in a discussion called “35th anniversary of the Treaty on Good Neighbourly Relations: Is it time for a new chapter in Polish–German relations?”. They also recapitulated one of the panels, focused on the role of civil society in bilateral relations.

The Forum featured contributions from Poland and Germany’s top diplomats, Radosław Sikorski and Johann Wadephul.

The event, also attended by Minister of Culture and National Heritage Marta Cienkowska,  saw the restitution of priceless Polish heritage artefacts—the German side returned a ring once owned by King Sigismund the Old, miniature railway exhibits, and a manuscript of “Gaude Mater Polonia.”

Streaming available here: 2026 POLISH–GERMAN FORUM “Neighbourhood in a Time of Change".

Laureates of the 2026 Polish–German Prize

During the Polish–German Forum, Ministers Radosław Sikorski and Johann Wadephul presented the Prize for Outstanding Merits for the Development of Polish–German Relations.

Following the recommendations of the Polish–German Prize Committee, this year’s award went to Janusz Reiter, for his contribution to fostering dialogue between Poland and Germany, and to the Słubice–Frankfurt Cooperation Centre, for its commitment to cross-border cooperation and promotion of people-to-people contacts.

On this special day, marking 35 years since the Treaty between Poland and Germany was signed, the panel decided to pay tribute to Janusz Reiter, a leading champion of Polish–German relations. Through his dedication as a journalist and a diplomat, he played a crucial role in building partnership relations between our countries,

- said Małgorzata Ławrowska-von Thadden, Co-Chair of the Committee.

The Polish–German Prize aims to honour individuals, institutions, and organisations that have particularly contributed to tightening and developing bilateral cooperation, by promoting mutual understanding and supporting dialogue between our societies.

***

The Polish–German Forum is a platform for exchange of views on key topics related to bilateral relations and international policy. Established in 1976 and then enshrined in the Treaty on Good Neighbourly Relations and Friendly Cooperation between the Republic of Poland and the Federal Republic of Germany of 17 June 1991, the Forum is held alternately in Poland and Germany and financed respectively by both countries’ foreign ministries. This year, the event was hosted by Germany.  

The Polish–German Prize, awarded “for outstanding merits for the development of Polish–German relations”, was established by the Treaty between the Republic of Poland and the Federal Republic of Germany on Good Neighbourly Relations and Friendly Cooperation, signed on 17 June 1991.
 

Janusz Reiter is a diplomat, columnist, and analyst. He served as Poland’s ambassador to Germany in 1990–1995, playing a part in laying the treaty and institutional foundations for Polish–German relations. In 1996, he set up the Centre for International Relations, a think tank dealing with foreign policy and security issues. He is an acclaimed author of articles and commentaries published in press and electronic media in Poland and Germany, in which he highlights the importance of the Polish–German partnership to the stability and security in the region. He also stresses that cooperation between the two countries is key to Europe’s future.

The Słubice–Frankfurt Cooperation Centre is a joint initiative of two border towns of Słubice and Frankfurt (Oder) set up in 2011. Its projects serve local communities and focus on culture, tourism, environmental protection, and urban development. Recently, the Centre held a series of discussions and meetings under the theme of “Border Experiences” on countering disinformation, strengthening democracy, and promoting civic attitudes.