Joint Declaration by the Foreign Ministers of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Republic of Poland on the 35th anniversary of the signing of ...

The signing of the Treaty on Good-Neighbourliness, Friendship and Cooperation 35 years ago marked a turning point in German-Polish relations, on which we look back with pride.

Today, Germany and Poland are not only neighbours and friends, but close equal partners and reliable allies, firmly anchored together in European and Euro-Atlantic structures. Not only was the Treaty an important part of the process of German-Polish reconciliation following long periods of division and mistrust, it also marked the starting point for profound, trust-based cooperation on all levels of our society.

The institutional and legal regulations established 35 years ago laid the foundations for today's unprecedented level of German-Polish cooperation, which we primarily owe to the dedicated people in our countries.

Since then, our countries have changed profoundly. Above all, we find ourselves in a fundamentally changed geopolitical environment, particularly in view of Russia's comprehensive attack on Ukraine. In awareness of the tragic history of the 20th century, we bear a special responsibility for our region and our continent as allies in NATO and partners in the European Union. Russia's aggression against Ukraine means that we face new political realities. Our response to it has become the yardstick of our responsibility and ability to act. Our joint commitment to strengthening European security is now a geopolitical necessity. The German-Polish contribution to securing the eastern flank is a good example of this. We welcome the signing of the new German-Polish Agreement on Defence Cooperation. It is testament to our determination to act together. The German-Polish partnership is, and will remain, a cornerstone of a strong, united Europe and a NATO that is able to defend itself.

Russia's aggressive actions, in particular those of a hybrid nature and in the field of disinformation, are also aimed at us. Their goal is to divide our societies, to destroy public order and to undermine trust in the state and its institutions. We will not be intimidated. We will successfully enhance our resilience and inform our societies. Our overarching aim remains the protection of European values, including the rule of law and free elections, and ultimately a lasting and just peace in Ukraine that strengthens European security. We take the lessons of the past seriously. "Never again should there be war" is not a hollow phrase, but a duty to future generations.

In awareness of German guilt, our tragic history will always serve as a warning to us. Eighty-one years after the end of the Second World War, the last survivors are leaving us. We firmly believe that history can unite people. This requires mutual empathy, but also concrete measures in the spirit of the Joint Declaration of 1 December 2025 that go beyond mere symbolics. We welcome the steps being undertaken to erect a memorial in central Berlin to the Polish people - victims of the Second World War and Nazi tyranny between 1939 and 1945 - and look forward to the outcome of the design competition towards the end of the year. We welcome the Federal Government's decisions to date on returning stolen cultural property that belongs to Poland. Further returns will follow.

Our economic cooperation is a source of particular satisfaction for us. Trade between Poland and Germany has multiplied in the past decades. Germany is among the three largest economies in the world. Poland is on the verge of becoming one of the 20 largest economies. The structure and profile of our trade relations have fundamentally changed. This helps to foster mutual prosperity, the creation of new jobs and the development of civil-society ties. However, we need new impetus in order to make full use of the societal and economic potential. Our companies and citizens await the further development of cross-border infrastructure and the expansion of transport connections. Not only will this make them more mobile and facilitate trade, it will also strengthen our military potential. We also advocate more partnerships, especially in the fields in which our two countries see a particular need for action, ranging from dual-use technologies and digitalisation to the development of artificial intelligence.

The European Union is the linchpin of our cooperation. Strengthening and stabilising it is in our strategic interest. In this regard, we would like to make a joint contribution to the future of the European Union. Given the increasing challenges, we are in no doubt that the European Union will become our most important source of protection and our most crucial instrument for asserting our interests at global level.

Like the Treaty on Good-Neighbourliness, Friendship and Cooperation, the Weimar Triangle also turns 35 this year. More than any other political format, it stands for the regained unity and the solidarity in Europe. We are in agreement as regards continuing to use the Weimar Triangle for joint impetus in foreign and EU policy and in strengthening cohesion in the European Union. We also welcome the intensive interministerial cooperation in the Weimar format.

The perception of German-Polish relations has fundamentally changed. We face different challenges today to those we faced in 1991. Poland and Germany can do more - our freedom, security and prosperity are at stake. As neighbours, friends and allies, we bear responsibility for the future. We will rise to this challenge by jointly ensuring that our future relations are even closer, doing so responsibly, sincerely and in a spirit of partnership in the interests of Europe as a whole.