The 1991 Polish-German Treaty: Origin, Aims, and Implementation. Successes, Failures, and Prospects in the Context of the Migration Crisis in Europe

Abstract

This chapter presents the origins of the 1991 Polish-German Treaty of Good Neighbourship and Friendly Cooperation and its significance for the process of reconciliation and the development of cooperation between Poland and Germany in the context of the present migration crisis in Europe. The author addresses questions concerning Polish-German relations in the period 1989–2018, analysing current conditions and future prospects. Over the last two years, Polish-German relations, especially political relations, have deteriorated considerably. The international situation in Europe has also become more complicated. One of the reasons for this is the immigration crisis resulting from a massive influx of people from the Middle East and North Africa. That crisis has divided the European Union and affected relations between its member states, including between Poland and Germany.