Germany and Poland are drawing closer together on defence matters. The defence ministers of both countries have signed an agreement to this effect. The Baltic Sea plays a major role in this.
Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz met with the German Defence Minister, Boris Pistorius, in Warsaw. During the meeting, both sides signed a new agreement on cooperation in the field of defence.
The agreement between the Government of the Republic of Poland and the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany is intended to establish a new legal framework for bilateral cooperation on defence matters. The aim is to further develop and structure existing operational cooperation in light of the current security situation in Central and Eastern Europe.
An important component of the agreement is cooperation in the Baltic Sea. In future, Poland and Germany are to share leadership of a joint command, with the leadership rotating every four years. This command is currently based in Rostock. “The Baltic Sea is our shared responsibility,” emphasised Kosiniak-Kamysz.
Furthermore, Kosiniak-Kamysz referred to the preparations for the next NATO summit in Ankara. Together with Pistorius, he will meet there with partners from the US, including Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, as well as other counterparts. “All eyes are on Poland and Germany,” said the Deputy Prime Minister. Germany had amended its constitution to allocate more funds to defence, whilst Poland was already spending five per cent of its gross domestic product on defence. Both countries also wished to expand their economic cooperation.
Cooperation essential for Europe’s security
The new agreement complements the existing defence mechanisms within NATO and the European Union. It replaces the previous framework agreement on defence cooperation, which was signed in Warsaw on 21 June 2011.
Boris Pistorius also emphasised the practical significance of the agreement: “Defence agreements of this kind are not about fine words, but about carrying out specific tasks. We do this together, shoulder to shoulder and as equals. We have been proving our ability to do so for many years.”
There is a high level of trust between Poland and Germany, Pistorius continued. Both sides are aware that a credible deterrent on the eastern flank and close German-Polish cooperation are essential for Europe’s security. “With this agreement, we are opening a new chapter in our cooperation and friendship,” said the German Defence Minister.
During the talks, the delegations, led by the two defence ministers, discussed the key challenges facing regional and Euro-Atlantic security.
Rheinmetall plans production in Poland
The focus was on the security situation on NATO’s eastern flank and continued support for Ukraine. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening military cooperation, enhancing the interoperability of their armed forces and further strengthening deterrence and defence capabilities.
Areas of joint cooperation include, amongst others, training and exercises, the development of military capabilities, and cooperation between the defence industries. Concrete progress appears to have already been made in this area in particular. As reported by Business Insider Polska, amongst others, a further agreement was signed on the sidelines of the meeting between the two defence ministers. According to this, Rheinmetall plans to establish a production site in Poland.
“We are adding another building block to the construction of a new security architecture in Europe. There is no security without Poland and no security without Germany – not without our values and not without our contribution to the European Union and to NATO. We are the European pillar of the Alliance and of the European Union. We ensure the security of our borders and of Europe. The defence agreement just signed opens up new areas of cooperation: in the field of cyber security, shared responsibility, a joint command in the Baltic Sea, new technologies and, in particular, space-related activities. It also opens up new opportunities for military mobility and the development of the necessary infrastructure between our countries,” said the Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.
