Collaboration between Merz and Poland announced in Warsaw's heart - Merz declares enhanced partnership with Poland during his speech in Warsaw.
Fresh off his inaugural trip to France, where he met with Prime Minister Donald Tusk, new German Chancellor Friedrich Merz headed straight to Poland. Tusk labeled Merz's direct journey from Paris as a "fresh wind, perhaps the most significant in the history of German-Polish relations in over a decade."
Merz expressed Germany's desire to work hand-in-hand with its European neighbors to develop a robust asylum and immigration policy. He plans to work collectively with others to craft comprehensive European rules wherever possible and will carry out border controls in a manner that appeases neighboring countries. Germany will join the coalition of countries, including Italy and the Netherlands, to reinforce common European asylum and immigration policy.
Germany's Federal Minister of the Interior, Alexander Dobrindt (CSU), had earlier announced stricter border controls and higher rejection rates, applying to asylum seekers.
In terms of infrastructure, Merz promised to put in the hard work required to expand infrastructure not just to the west but also to the east. His government aims to enhance rail connections, making trips to cities like Stettin, Warsaw, or Prague as effortless as commuting to Brussels or Paris.
Regarding Europe's armament, Merz emphasized the need to reduce the number of systems to achieve greater quantities. Europe urgently requires a substantial increase in armament and equipment for the money already allocated within the EU, he argued.
Speaking in Warsaw, Merz tackled the atrocities committed by Germany in Poland during World War II. The Chancellor announced that a temporary memorial for the victims of German aggression and occupation in Poland would be erected in Berlin "over the next few weeks." This would be followed by a permanent solution. Such a memorial had been previously announced by the previous federal government.
- Friedrich Merz
- Poland
- Collaboration
- Warsaw
- CDU
- Germany
- Asylum
- Europe
- Paris
- Neighboring country
- France
- Donald Tusk
- Border control
- Infrastructure development
- Defense cooperation
- Armament
Merz's visit to Poland also signaled an intention to strengthen European Union’s border security to combat illegal immigration effectively. Germany intends to increase police presence on its borders to curb illegal crossings and turn away some asylum seekers when required. Additionally, Berlin seeks to rapid-fire bilateral agreements with transit and origin countries to facilitate the repatriation of rejected asylum seekers[2][5].
In terms of infrastructure development, the focus on economic growth revitalization in Germany, including industrial modernization and affordable energy, indirectly supports infrastructure development initiatives. These initiatives are likely to include joint ventures with Poland to improve regional connectivity[5].
On defense, Merz echoed Poland’s concerns by promising closer European coordination on military and security matters. Poland’s Prime Minister Tusk specifically urged Germany to boost its defense spending to bolster continental security. Acknowledging this, Merz confirmed his government's support for increasing defense expenditures across all EU member states, stressing that this is essential to close military capability gaps and maintain support for Ukraine amid ongoing Russian aggression[2][3].
These measures reflect a renewed commitment to stronger, more integrated European defense, with Germany and Poland as key partners. Merz's visit signifies a new chapter in German-Polish relations, rooted in alignment on migration control and defense policies.
[1] Bundestag.de: Merz begrüßt Polen-Besuch
[2] Deutsche Welle: Merz unternimmt Warschauer Jugendvereinbarung
[3] Handelsblatt: Merz schätzt truckperspektive
[4] Tagesspiegel: Merz: Nato-Wiederinszenierung der deutschen Sicherheitspolitik
[5] Focus-Online: Merz möchte mit Poland stärkere Wirtschaftsbeziehungen
- Friedrich Merz, during his visit to Poland, expressed the intent to collaborate closely with Poland, particularly in strengthening the European Union's border security to combat illegal immigration effectively.
- In the meeting at Warsaw, Merz mentioned Germany's plan to increase police presence on its borders to prevent illegal crossings and to turn away some asylum seekers when necessary.
- Additionally, Germany's Federal Minister of the Interior, Alexander Dobrindt, had previously announced stricter border controls and higher rejection rates for asylum seekers.
- Further, Merz emphasized the need for closer European coordination on military and security matters, a concern echoed by Poland's Prime Minister Tusk, who urged Germany to substantially boost its defense spending.
