Europe in Times of Geopolitical Upheaval – 35 Years of German-Polish Partnership

Thirty-five years after the signing of the German-Polish Treaty on Good Neighbourship and Friendly Cooperation, relations between Germany and Poland once again stand at a crucial juncture. The 1991 treaty laid the foundation for close political, economic, and societal cooperation following decades of a divided Europe. Today, the two countries are not only friendly neighbours but also key partners within the European Union and NATO.

Europe is currently facing profound political and societal challenges. Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has brought questions of European security and defence policy back to the forefront. At the same time, debates over migration and border policy, economic uncertainty, the future of Europe’s competitiveness, and how to address democratic tensions within the EU are shaping the political agenda. Europe’s role in an increasingly multipolar world is also being redefined. Against this backdrop, the German-Polish partnership is becoming ever more important. Both countries play a central role in supporting Ukraine, strengthening Europe’s defence capabilities, and shaping the future of European integration. At the same time, the question arises as to how trust, cooperation, and the capacity for joint political action can be reinforced in an era of growing uncertainty.

Against this background, we are particularly pleased to welcome Dr Łukasz Jasiński (PISM) on Wednesday, 24 June 2026, at 6:00 p.m. As an analyst at the Polish Institute of International Affairs, his work focuses in particular on German domestic and foreign policy, German-Polish relations, and issues of European security.

Together with you and Dr Łukasz Jasiński, we would like to discuss the following questions: What role do Germany and Poland play today in shaping Europe’s future? How have relations between the two countries evolved over the past 35 years? What common interests and points of contention define their cooperation? How can Germany and Poland contribute to European security and support for Ukraine? And how can the German-Polish partnership be further strengthened in a time of geopolitical tensions?

To register, please send an email to: events@schwarzkopf-stiftung.de. The event is open exclusively to young people up to the age of 28; places are limited.