In correspondence from Warsaw, “FAZ” journalist Stefan Locke points out that while it has recently become possible to travel from Berlin to Paris by train without transfers, traveling from Germany to cities in Central and Eastern Europe is much more complicated.
“Whoever wants to travel from Dresden to Poland must change trains in Goerlitz,” Locke noted. “East of Nysa the lines are electrified, diesel locomotives are still used on the German sideas the central authorities have once again postponed the date for the electrification of this route, which has been promised for decades. On certain sections between east and west, there is only one track, because the other one was dismantled by the Soviets after 1945. Only a few bridges on the Oder and Neisse have been rebuilt,” we read in a commentary published in the online edition of “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung”.
Polish trains as a model for the Germans
How I'm writing German journalist, passengers of Polish trains have a guaranteed seat, and the air conditioning and heating work, as do the doors. When doors are broken, they don't hang up “Broken Doors” signs (as in Germany), they just repair them,” Locke noted with approval.
“In Germany, as in the whole of Western Europe, priority is given to the West,” writes Locke. Looking to the East, Westerners wrongly believe that the countries there, which are actually Central Europe, have to “catch up.” In fact, countries such as Poland, Estonia and the Czech Republic are currently overtaking Western Europe. To support his thesis, the author points to the rapid economic growth of the countries in this region.
Poland's ambitious goals
Locke draws attention to Prime Minister Donald Tusk's goal of overtaking Great Britain in wage levels by the end of this decade. In his opinion, this is proof that Poland and its leadership are not afraid of risk and are not timid, but show “commitment, hunger for success and innovation.”
It persists in Germany and other Western European countries stereotype of the Polish plumber – reliable, cheap labor coming from a backward society. It's an illusion – writes Locke, admitting, however, that this stereotype still determines policy towards Poland. The lack of invitation to Ukraine and its neighbors to the meeting in Berlin is a manifestation of the old way of thinking, according to which Western Europeans set the tone in politics.
“It's high time to talk to Central and Eastern Europe as equals,” Locke believes, adding that they should “take what they say seriously” and recognize their competences. Countries from this part of Europe can contribute a lot to the reform of European institutions, better integration and improved defense capabilities, writes Stefan Locke in his conclusion.
The article comes from the website Deutsche Welle