1 May is traditionally Labour Day, the public holiday of the labour movement in Germany. This year it also marks an important date for the freedom movement and for Europe: it is the 20th anniversary of the Republic of Poland's accession to the European Union. Poland's accession to the EU on 1 May 2004 marked another historic turning point for both Poland and the European Union, after Poland had already joined NATO five years earlier, on 12 March 1999. After decades of communist rule, Poland's return to the political and economic fabric of Europe brought about an upswing in various areas of society and enabled the Polish people, who had long before been committed to common democratic values, to realise the dream of freedom and peace.
Conversely, Poland has been making an indispensable contribution to the structural strengthening and continuous development of the EU for 20 years with the many achievements that the country has made in the course of its integration into the EU. As a member state that is characterised by stable economic performance and a dynamic labour market and is particularly committed to regional cross-border cooperation and cultural exchange, the Polish nation is contributing to the European community. One small example of this are the many Polish women who are doing beneficial work in home care in Germany.
Poland's involvement in Russia's war against Ukraine is remarkable. Since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression, the country has stood by the Ukrainian population unconditionally, despite some friction between the two neighbours, and has established numerous regional and international aid networks within a short space of time. This shows that Poland is a reliable partner whose support and many years of experience can be counted on.
Despite all the euphoria about such positive developments, differences and disputes that have not made the political climate in Europe any easier in recent years under the PIS-led government should not be concealed. It took a number of judgements by the European Court of Justice to sanction Poland's violations of European law and prevent the PIS government from further undermining our rule of law. With the removal of the PIS all-party government, there is a good chance that the undoubted tension in relations between the EU and Poland will improve in the future.
Nevertheless, there is certainly still a lot of "room for improvement" in this relationship and also in relation to Germany. This is one of the reasons why the Saarpfalz district has been endeavouring for years to consolidate and intensify civil society relations. In the cultural and educational sphere, contacts have been established through the "Begegnungen auf der Grenze BaG" association and the Spohns Haus ecological school hostel in Gersheim, where hundreds of Polish, Ukrainian, French and German schoolchildren have been meeting for educational exchanges every year for almost 20 years.
Hans Bollinger, as chairman of the BaG association, played a major role in this development. The German-Polish Society Saar - DPG - under the long-standing chairmanship of former District Administrator Siegfried Wack has also contributed to this development, primarily in the cultural field. In addition to the establishment of the partnership between Saarland and the Podkarpackie Voivodeship in 2009, the Saarpfalz district, then under former District Administrator Clemens Lindemann, took the first step towards strengthening relations at local government level by establishing a cooperation with the district of Przemysl in 2011. Since 2016, the Saarpfalz district has significantly stepped up its efforts in this regard under the leadership of District Administrator Dr Theophil Gallo. These include the further partnership with the district of Lancut as well as the partnerships with the biosphere regions of Lubaczow and Biesczady, whose protected areas extend into Ukraine. Founded in 2022, the Homburg Alliance, the "International Alliance for Peace and Cohesion in Europe", is a unique European network of 19 districts and regions from five nations that work closely and constructively together to further strengthen the basis for a truly united Europe.
District Administrator Dr Theophil Gallo, Chairman of the German-Polish Society Saar since 2018, sees the close municipal cooperation within this network as an equally indispensable and effective basis for the realisation of European unity at the municipal level, at the level of civil society. This includes practical examples such as the International Museum Alliance, participation in the Trippstadt Alliance and strengthening the culture of remembrance with the memorial in Gräfinthal Monastery. "We are also focussing on the idea of the Weimar Triangle, which could also become a 'Weimar Triangle plus' with the inclusion of Ukraine, because I see the connection between France, Germany and Poland as the nucleus of a strong and united Europe. In view of Poland's 20-year membership of the EU, I am delighted to be able to count so many Polish districts among the partners of the Saarpfalz district, which we are able to support intensively via the specially established European staff unit. I would like to take this opportunity to appeal to our citizens to vote in the upcoming European elections for democracy, freedom and the rule of law in order to strengthen the organisation that has guaranteed peace in Europe for almost 80 years, namely the European Union," said Dr Gallo.
Information on the district partnerships and the European work of the Saarpfalz district can be obtained from the head of the European staff unit and European representative of the Saarpfalz district, Dr Violetta Frys, by calling (06841) 104-8273 or sending an e-mail to [email protected] or [email protected].