German opposition leader Friedrich Merz has proposed a new Polish-German friendship treaty as part of steps to improve relations if elected chancellor.
Merz, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) leader and candidate for the CDU/CSU conservative bloc in the February 23 federal election, said the treaty would mark the 35th anniversary of the countries’ existing bilateral agreement.
The CDU/CSU is leading pre-election polls with over 30% support, far ahead of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democrats (SPD), who are polling at around 15%.
“The government I lead will end the silence between Berlin and Warsaw on the first day,” Merz said during a foreign policy address in Berlin on Thursday.
“We will treat our neighbor to the east with respect and, given our tumultuous history, with empathy,” he continued, although he failed to provide exact detail on what the treaty might cover.
Merz also urged Poland to play a leading role in Europe during its presidency of the European Union.
He added that the 1991 Treaty of Good Neighbourship and Friendly Cooperation, which laid the foundations of relations between the countries in the post-Cold War and German reunification era, had played a key role in strengthening ties for over three decades.
The CDU/CSU is leading pre-election polls with over 30% support, far ahead of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democrats (SPD), who are polling at around 15%.
“The government I lead will end the silence between Berlin and Warsaw on the first day,” Merz said during a foreign policy address in Berlin on Thursday.
“We will treat our neighbor to the east with respect and, given our tumultuous history, with empathy,” he continued, although he failed to provide exact detail on what the treaty might cover.
Merz also urged Poland to play a leading role in Europe during its presidency of the European Union.
He added that the 1991 Treaty of Good Neighbourship and Friendly Cooperation, which laid the foundations of relations between the countries in the post-Cold War and German reunification era, had played a key role in strengthening ties for over three decades.
“I propose that on the 35th anniversary of this document, we sign a Friendship Treaty that will elevate our bilateral relations to a new level,” he said.
Polish experts have advocated for such a treaty in recent years, suggesting it could be modeled on the 2019 Aachen Treaty between Germany and France, which reinforced their postwar partnership.
Merz also welcomed the opening of Poland’s new embassy near Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate. “Our bilateral relations should be right here—in the political heart of our capital,” he said.
The CDU leader has consistently called for closer ties with Poland. During a visit to Warsaw in December, he proposed establishing a contact group involving Poland to support Ukraine in its defense against Russia.
Merz’s remarks were delivered at an event hosted by the Körber Foundation in Berlin, signaling foreign policy priorities for his potential leadership.
Polish experts have advocated for such a treaty in recent years, suggesting it could be modeled on the 2019 Aachen Treaty between Germany and France, which reinforced their postwar partnership.
Merz also welcomed the opening of Poland’s new embassy near Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate. “Our bilateral relations should be right here—in the political heart of our capital,” he said.
The CDU leader has consistently called for closer ties with Poland. During a visit to Warsaw in December, he proposed establishing a contact group involving Poland to support Ukraine in its defense against Russia.
Merz’s remarks were delivered at an event hosted by the Körber Foundation in Berlin, signaling foreign policy priorities for his potential leadership.
