The meeting focused on strengthening defence cooperation, tackling illegal migration, and investing in cross-border infrastructure.
Tusk hailed Merz’s decision to visit Paris and Warsaw on his first day in office as a clear message about the importance of European unity.
“This shows how crucial Polish-German relations are for the future of Europe, and by extension, the world,” Tusk said. He added: “With full responsibility, I declare a new opening in Polish-German relations, perhaps the most important in the last several decades.”
One of the key themes of the joint press conference was the fight against illegal migration, particularly along Poland’s eastern border with Belarus and Russia.
Tusk said that Poland bears the full burden of protecting this external frontier of the European Union, describing the situation as “a war that is no longer merely hybrid in nature.”
He cited daily violent incidents and pressure from Belarusian security forces, including injuries to Polish soldiers, as evidence of the seriousness of the challenge.
“We expect not only understanding, but full support,” he said, expressing confidence that Merz would be a partner who “fully grasps” the scale of the issue.
Merz echoed this, acknowledging that while Germany has no external EU borders of its own, it shares responsibility for their protection.
“We see it as our duty to support the defence of Europe’s external borders, including those of Poland,” he said.
Tusk also announced plans to submit legislation to extend restrictions on asylum rights in Poland, saying that while such policies are now widely accepted, early implementation had required political backing, which he gratefully recalled receiving from Berlin.
Both leaders highlighted the continuing threat posed by Russia.
Merz stated bluntly: “Russia remains the greatest threat to European security.”
Acknowledging Poland’s frontline status, he stressed the need for stronger collective deterrence and praised Poland’s defence spending as a contribution to NATO’s overall strength.
Tusk confirmed that Poland aims to build “the strongest army in Europe,” claiming it has already become the largest in terms of troop numbers.
“This is not about imperial ambition,” he said. “We simply have no other choice.”
He also requested that Germany extend its current deployment of Patriot missile systems in Poland through the end of the year.
The two leaders agreed to strengthen physical links between their countries, including plans to expand railway infrastructure. Both cited the need for high-speed rail connections between Warsaw and Berlin, as well as improved regional routes such as Berlin–Szczecin.
Tusk also floated the possibility of building additional bridges or even tunnels under the River Oder to ensure fast military transport in case of conflict.
He argued that NATO infrastructure in Central Europe, which “for years effectively ended at the Elbe,” must now extend to Poland’s eastern border on the River Bug.
In a notable moment of historical reckoning, Merz addressed Germany’s responsibility for the pain inflicted on Poland during World War II.
“We Germans caused unspeakable suffering to our Polish neighbours,” he said. “We nearly destroyed this city. That is our guilt, and from it arises a lasting responsibility.”
He reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to remembering the victims, mentioning plans for a permanent memorial in Berlin. A temporary monument is expected to be unveiled soon.
However, on the issue of wartime reparations, Merz maintained the longstanding German position that the matter is legally settled.
Tusk took a more reflective tone, noting that while no true compensation had ever been made, “we are not going to ask for it.”
He pointed out that the 1950s-era decision to renounce reparations was made “under communism, effectively without Poland’s participation.”
The meeting marks a shift after years of strained relations between Berlin and Warsaw under Poland’s previous nationalist government. With both countries now led by pro-European centrists, Wednesday’s talks suggest a renewed commitment to joint leadership within the EU.
“Armed Germans in Poland is not a historically popular slogan,” Tusk said, referring to Germany’s military presence. “But fortunately these are different Germans, different Poles, and different dangers. And today, we have a shared European interest in taking defence seriously.”
(rt/gs)
Source: IAR, PAP