Trade

Germany-Poland: don’t worry about that

The relations between Berlin and Warsaw are currently being cool plenty of. The economy does not fit into the concept. German and Polish companies only want to make one thing: Good business.

Three flags are in front of the Berlin state representation of North Rhine-Westphalia, hoisted the German, Polish and European. The house is host to a German-Polish economic Congress. With a trading volume of around 17 billion euros, the state of Poland’s most important trading partner in Germany. Of the 16 million inhabitants in NRW more than 560,000 Polish roots, they are the largest group of immigrants from the EU.

However, because it is almost still, hang the flags in front of the country representation at this morning, limp and motionless. A picture with a symbolic power: at no other time since the signing of the German-Polish Treaty on good neighborhood, 25 years ago, the political relations between Berlin and Warsaw solidified than it is now. In Germany, with the national conservatives and Europe, the critical rate of the Polish government party law and justice (PiS) do not agree, especially in the refugee, justice and media policy. In Warsaw, in turn, refuses to tolerate any Form of criticism and interference.

Economics and politics are interdependent

On the Berlin economic Congress-the political ice age is hidden. Germans and poles on both sides of the border, always better business, and entrepreneurs want nothing more than to keep it that way. “Politics and the economy are key drivers for good neighborhood and interdependent,” says the President of the German chamber of industry and Commerce day, Eric Schweitzer, and a warning undertone resonates.

In the last three years, the German-Polish trade volume to grow by a quarter to around EUR 100 billion. For Poland Germany is the most important trading partners, conversely, Poland has risen from eighth to seventh place. “The economic relations between Germany and Poland have developed in the last few years as strong as with no other country, with the Germany trade operates,” says Schweitzer, is as entrepreneurs active in Poland. This is an encouraging sign for an intensive political dialogue, he adds.

Significantly more international sounds

A dialogue that the Poland with great self-confidence. “Should I speak German, English or Polish?”, the Deputy government asks the chief and economy Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, as he takes to the lectern. With space for seven or eight as a trading partner for Germany, he does not want to be satisfied. “If you summed up Poland and the Czech Republic, which are like brothers, then we have for Germany is already the same meaning as China,” says Morawiecki and announces more efficiency in the Polish economy.

He speaks of Innovation and digitization in the industry and economic growth in 2015 at 3.6 percent, and this year is expected to be 3.7 percent. This growth is also spending a result of higher state, more children, money and pension, says Morawiecki.

Economy Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and his German counterpart Sigmar Gabriel in January in Warsaw

The Polish employers ‘ Association, he’s still on his side. “The Polish economy is Entering a new path of responsible and sustainable development – also Morawiecki Plan called,” says the Association’s President Andrzej Malinowski. The business would be disturbed in the last few years, much and economic policy, and the law required legislative changes. “These changes are now so close.”

Poland benefits from EU Finance

The self-confident appearance of the Polish guests, Federal Minister of Economics Sigmar Gabriel opposes demonstrative Serenity. “Today, poles are the second most common foreign spouses group of German men. I don’t know how it is Vice versa, but in any case, the new normal,” he says, and thus audible for Amusement business.

Then the Minister becomes serious again and tried it with a digression into the history. During a visit to kraków, he had learned that there until the 17th century. Century, “have been subject to Magdeburg law”. Not because there are so many Germans had lived, but because the associated trading rights applied by the Hanseatic League in the whole of Europe. “So, it was also the past good times between German and Poland, where the nationality does not play a so large role, but the interest in the common progress.”

Sigmar Gabriel, recently, in Auschwitz: “wonder, then, that poles and Germans can live up to the Second world war, as good neighbors and friends together.”

Europe plays in the remarks of the Minister a great role. The economic rise of Poland’s hanging with the accession to the European Union, he clearly. “Poland is benefiting greatly from the financial support through the structural funds.” The German-Polish trade is an engine of growth for Europe. “Poland remains an investment magnet for the whole of Central Europe.”

Not be irritated

The threat of a “Brexit”, a EU-exit of the British, commented on Gabriel so that he could also apply for the Europe-critical of the Polish government: “Our children and grandchildren will curse us because we did not hold Europe together.” Despite the tense political situation, one must work on the common. “I can assure you that both of the Minister of the economy, understand well,” says Gabriel to the entrepreneurs, contacted and stressed that it was important “not to irritate” the “from some of the current disputes”.