“Germany must treat Poland as an equal”
For the second round of our Europe Initiative, which aims to strengthen transatlantic relations between Europe and the United States, our delegation of 36 members traveled to Warsaw.
Highlights of the two-day trip included a visit to the Nożyk Synagogue and a meeting with Chief Rabbi Michael Schudrich, where we discussed the Jewish community in Warsaw, the politics of remembrance, and transatlantic relations. Another highlight was the session “Growth, Technology & Innovation: The CEE Business Landscape” at Meta in Warsaw, focusing on EU competitiveness and regulatory simplification and how make it real. The program also featured a reception at the German Embassy hosted by Deputy Head of Mission Robert Rohde, with Michał Baranowski, Undersecretary of State at the Polish Ministry of Economic Development and Technology. In addition, we held strategy sessions with the Centre for International Relations and the Atlantic Council on European security. One of the key discussions focused on “Defending Europe With(out) the US: Lessons Learned from the Polish EU Council Presidency,” featuring Małgorzata Bonikowska, President of the Centre for International Relations, and Aleksandra Uznanska-Wisniewska, Member of the Sejm and Deputy Chair of the NATO Subcommittee.
To hear Uznanska-Wisniewska’s perspective on balancing European sovereignty and the transatlantic alliance, watch the video below. You can also find a short interview with Robert Bednarski, the Country Director for Central & Eastern Europe at Meta, on the culture of innovation that pushes the Polands‘ economy forward, as well as key takeaways and reflections from participants of the delegation here.
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Among others, my highlights included the exchange with Rabbi Schudrich, the presentation of the Meta CEE business landscape and the subsequent conversation with Warsaw’s Mayor, Rafał Trzaskowski. I especially appreciated the opportunity to gain insights from these different perspectives. Overall, I was impressed by the dynamism of Warsaw and the opportunities currently emerging in Poland. Prof. Thomas Steinbrück, Chief Executive Brand & Strategy Officer. |
| Learning from Chief Rabbi Schudrich about the process and challenges of rebuilding a Jewish community after the Nazi crimes and communist period. And learning from Aleksandra Uznanska-Wisniewska about the urgency of helping Ukraine and preparing Europe’s defenses jointly with Poland. Martin Giese, Owner and Managing Director, Cambridge Ventures GmbH. |
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Former Ambassador Janusz Reiter explaining to us the “defining character” the Polish-German relationship has for Poland. It’s an asymmetric relationship where Poles lack trust and Germans understanding. Germany must treat Poland as an equal. I believe our trip made a small, but meaningful contribution to that. Dr. Christoph Denk, Lecturer, University of St. Gallen. |
For more insights into our delegation trip, watch our interviews with Aleksandra Uznanska-Wisniewska, MP of the Sejm, Deputy Chair of the NATO Subcommittee and the Chair of the Polish-US Parliamentary Caucus, and Robert Bednarski, the Country Director for Central & Eastern Europe at Meta.
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