Towards a civil society-based foreign policy: The future of bilateral relations between Germany and the V4 countries?

Germany’s size, geographical location and influence in the EU mean its politics have significant implications for the V4 countries. In her most recent policy paper, Rachel Herring argues that now is a crucial time for the V4 countries and Germany to reassess their bilateral relationships. Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 not only increased international attention on the region of Central and Eastern Europe but prompted a period of reflection on and critique of German foreign policy both domestically and abroad. At the same time, many still feel that German politicians have not yet sufficiently engaged with the positions taken by CEE governments, or recognised the potential of certain areas for cooperation. In her paper, Rachel Herring takes an in-depth look at areas for bilateral development using the case studies of Czech-German and Polish-German relations. First, official German speeches and debates are analysed to build a picture of how Czechia and Poland are conceptualised in German foreign policy. Then, in the main part of the analysis, the potential of different specific formats and policy areas for developing bilateral relations are discussed. The analysis draws on interviews with a range of think tank experts, civil society actors, and diplomats. Finally, policy recommendations are made for Czech-German and Polish-German relations, and wider implications are drawn for all four V4 countries regarding formats and policy areas for cooperation with Germany.

Speakers:

• Author: Rachel Herring (Think Visegrad Fellow, Institute of International Relations Prague)
• Moderator: Asya Metodieva (Researcher, Centre for European Politics, Institute of International Relations Prague)
• Discussant: Vladimír Handl (Associate Researcher, Centre for European Integration, Institute of International Relations Prague)