New opening in Polish-German relations
13.02.2024
Today's meeting between Ministers Krzysztof Hetman and Dariusz Klimczak with Vice Chancellor, Federal Minister of Economy and Climate Protection of Germany, Robert Habeck took place in an atmosphere of strengthening cooperation. Among the topics discussed were the challenges facing the Polish and German economies, as well as the maritime economy.
A thriving Polish economy is good news for Germany, but conversely, the condition of German industry is very important for Poland. We aim for Poland and Germany to rely on each other as reliable partners and friends in these difficult times - also considering the consequences of Russia's attack on Ukraine”
- emphasized Minister of Economic Development and Technology, Krzysztof Hetman, during the meeting.
The head of the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology added that it is in the interest of both countries to advance continuously economic cooperation to an even more sophisticated level.
Minister Krzysztof Hetman pointed out:
There are promising times ahead for cooperation in a friendly atmosphere, reminiscent of the kind that has always accompanied the Weimar formula talks.
Poland is our neighbor, a close ally, and one of Germany's most important trading partners. Our economies, as well as our citizens, are closely intertwined. Therefore, I'm pleased that we now can revitalize our cooperation. To this end, we can re-establish the Polish-German Economic Forum, cooperate closely within the EU, and expand the Weimar Triangle with Poland, Germany and France through specific economic projects
- said Vice Chancellor, Federal Minister of Economy and Climate Protection of Germany, Robert Habeck.
Economic cooperation and its strengthening were not the only topics of discussion between the ministers of the two countries. The meeting also focused on the reconstruction of Ukraine (which could serve as another platform for Polish and German companies to cooperate with Ukrainian partners), the situation on the Polish-Ukrainian border, cooperation in EU forums (industrial policy, digitization policy, the Polish EU presidency in the first half of 2025), and the maritime economy.
Polish-German economic relations
Germany stands as Poland's most important trading partner. In 2022, trade turnover amounted to almost 169 billion euros (exports exceeding 95.5 billion euros, imports surpassing 73.3 billion euros).
According to data from the Federal Statistical Office of Germany, Poland was the 4th largest supplier of goods to the German market in 2022 and the 5th largest buyer of goods from Germany. Overall, in terms of trade volume, Poland ranked as the 5th largest partner in globally for Germany.
According to National Bank of Poland (NBP) data, Germany is the second-largest foreign investor in Poland (straight after the Netherlands). The total value of capital invested by German companies in Poland at the end of 2022 exceeded 42.5 billion euros.