In the current edition of the German-Polish European Blog, we present you a Polish and German perspective on this important European region. The economic involvement of both countries is incomparable, while the political significance of the region for the security of the whole of Europe and support for EU enlargement policy are joined by governments in Warsaw and Berlin.
Germany has made itself a reputation for being both an active supporter and a severe critic of the Western Balkans’ EU integration. According to the Polish government, the combination of strict conditionality with tangible benefits for those countries which fulfill the EU condition would be the most effective policy towards the region.
The hosting of the Berlin Process Summit, which will take place in July 2019, gives Poland an exceptional opportunity for a qualitative increase of its bilateral engagement in the Western Balkans — convincing EU partners to become more involved in the region and reinvigorating the EU perspective of it.
For more details on the Polish perspective please read the article by Marta Szpala, an expert at the Centre for Eastern Studies (OSW). In the text by Theresia Töglhofer, an associate fellow at the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP) you will find more about the role of the Western Balkans in the German policy and vice versa. The introduction to the topic was prepared by Adam Balcer, EuropeWise Foreign Policy Project Manager.
We wish you an inspiring reading!
