FRIENDSHIP IN THE MAKING: Transforming Relations between Germany and the Baltic-Visegrad Countries Edited by Dr. Andris Sprūds Riga, 2012 TABLE OF COntents INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................. 4 Andris Sprūds, Latvian Institute of International Affairs GERMANY AND THE VISEgrAd-BalTIC COUNTRIES: FRIENDSHIP IN THE MAKING: Transforming Relations between Germany and Cooperation and Partnership in Times of Uncertainty ............................................ 6 the Baltic-Visegrad Countries is a research publication focusing on bilateral Kai-Olaf Lang, German Institute for International and Security Affairs relations between Germany and Baltic-Visegrad countries. This book is the result of a successful collaboration among authors from research institutes Czech-GeRMAN RELATIONS IN THE Post-COLD WAR ERA: and universities in Germany and the Baltic-Visegrad countries. The publica- The Best Ever? .................................................................................................................................... 29 tion is also an example of the long lasting and productive cooperation be- Petr Kratochvíl, Institute of International Relations in Prague tween the Latvian Institute of International Affairs and the Friedrich Ebert Zdeněk Sychra, Masaryk University, Brno Stiftung. ESTONIA AND GERMANY: Friends for Benefits ......................................................... 52 Julian Tupay, International Centre for Defence Studies, Tallinn GERMan-HUNGARIAN RELATIONS: A Marriage Held Together by Money, not Love? ..................................................................................................................... 65 Scientific editor: Andris Sprūds András Hettyey, Danube Institute of Interdisciplinary Research Project coordinator: Kārlis Bukovskis András Rácz, Hungarian Institute of International Affairs Scientific reviewers: Dr. Edijs Bošs FROM DIPLOMACY TO ROUTINE PARTNERSHIP: The Bilateral Dr. Toms Rostoks Relations of Latvia and Germany in the XXI Century ............................................. 93 Kārlis Bukovskis, Latvian Institute of International Affairs Authors: Vladimír Bilčík, Kārlis Bukovskis, Artur Ciechanowicz, András Hettyey, Petr Kratochvíl, Kai-Olaf Lang, András Rácz, Andris Sprūds, Zdeněk Sychra, GERMan-LITHUANIAN RELATIONS: Toward a Strategic Julian Tupay, Liudas Zdanavičius Partnership? ..................................................................................................................................... 116 Liudas Zdanavičius, Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas Language editor: Talis Saule Archdeacon A CHRONICLE OF OVERCOME HURDLES: Towards a Pragmatic Cover design and layout: Ieva Upmace Partnership in Polish-German Relations ...................................................................... 142 Artur Ciechanowicz, Centre for Eastern Studies, Warsaw SLOVak-GeRMAN RELATIONS: From “Absence” to Discovery © Latvian Institute of International Affairs, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, 2012 through Multilateral Integration ....................................................................................... 163 © Authors of the articles, 2012 Vladimír Bilčík, Research Centre of the Slovak Foreign Policy Association © Ieva Upmace, 2012 CONCLUSIONS: Diversity of Making the Friendships ........................................ 175 Andris Sprūds, Latvian Institute of International Affairs ISBN: 978-9984-569-96-3 ABOUT AUTHORS ........................................................................................................................ 182 the new members of the EU and NATO in Baltics and Visegrad into a joint INTRODUctiON regional perspective and subject the regional dynamic to an analysis of Germany’s role. Second, a comparative perspective of three Baltic countries Andris Sprūds and four Visegrad countries is provided. The number of perspectives allow for assessing and discerning both commonalities and divergences among the Baltic and Visegrad countries. Third, the chapters follow a rather similar The economic recession and ensuing challenges in Europe have trans- pattern of analyzing the role of history in bilateral relations, recent politi- formed the community’s internal configuration and considerably elevated cal developments and cooperation in multilateral frameworks, and mutual Germany’s role in the European Union. Germany remained relatively com- economic cooperation. This approach provides a comprehensive view on petitive and successful, and experienced a modest growth in economic developments in the “new” Europe, and simultaneously discerns national terms that contributed to balancing the overall negative economic trends particularities. Moreover, though the general structure is streamlined and in the EU. Its role as the major net contributing nation to the EU budget the major aspects are set, the authors remain free to contribute their own notwithstanding, Germany also provided a market for the export oriented idiosyncratic emphases and assessments. This diversity of approaches is countries, especially in the neighbourhood, and helped pull their econo- essentially perceived as an important element in reflecting the plurality of mies out of the recession. The major European economy has been inevita- opinions and the multifaceted nature of Germany’s presence in the politi- bly turning into the dominant player in EU debates on further economic, cal and economic agendas of the Baltic and Visegrad countries. fiscal, monetary and political integration. Germany is becoming an indis- pensable European nation both economically and politically. The successful fruition of the current research project was enabled by a number of joint efforts. Above all, an international body of researchers Germany’s position and status apparently undergoes a process of have contributed to achieving the objectives of the research project. The transformation among the new members of the EU in the Baltic and Viseg- involvement of authors from partner countries has been considered an rad countries. The economic challenges and nations’ selected approaches imperative precondition for ensuring a diversity of views with a genuinely in the region have demonstrated common grounds for further coopera- comparative perspective. The current joint research project takes a full ad- tion. The appeal by Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski in November vantage of the opportunities of a long tradition of a prolific cooperation 2011 has been indicative of the changing perceptions and expectations between the Latvian Institute of International Affairs and its partner insti- in the region: “I will probably be the first Polish foreign minister in history tutions in Germany, as well as the Baltic and Visegrad countries. The Frie- to say so, but here it is: I fear German power less than I am beginning to drich Ebert Foundation in the Baltic countries was instrumental in support- fear German inactivity.” However, the question can be raised as to what ing this research endeavor and in bringing it to a successful result. Last but these expectations among Baltic and Visegrad countries exactly mean and not least, this publication would be void without a reader attentive to the whether they might lead to the transformation of a rather pragmatic mu- subject and interested in understanding the constraints and opportunities tual economic partnership into an unprecedented political partnership for a friendly and mutually beneficial political and economic engagement and friendship. Hence, the major objective of this publication is to examine between Germany and the Baltic-Visegrad countries, both bilaterally and how Germany’s increasing power would shape Germany’s activities in the within multilateral frameworks. region of East Central Europe and particularly influence its diverse bilateral relations with – and mutual perceptions and images within – the Baltic and Visegrad countries. Some important and valuable research contributions on Germany’s for- eign policy and bilateral relations in East Central Europe have been made and identified in the following chapters. However, this research project in- tends to expand and elaborate on a number of additional research issues and perspectives. First, the publication is intended to somewhat integrate 4 5 Central Europeans as an actor “whom you can believe”. This obviously has GERMANY AND THE Visegrad-BALTIC COUntries: much to do with changes in Germany’s modus operandi in the EU and in Cooperation and Partnership in Times of Uncertainty foreign policy in general. Reemphasizing the classic traits of Bonn’s ap- proach to external affairs, like being an advocate for smaller and medium- sized countries and bringing more transparency to its “special relationship” Kai-Olaf Lang with Russia, Germany has surmounted a major obstacle in building con- tacts with countries in its close Eastern vicinity (the trap of mistrust).1 With a heightening suspicion of French negligence, disappointment with the Introduction British retreat, and the US pivoting to Asia, in the eyes of Polish, Latvian or Lithuanian foreign policy Germany appears to be a quite empathic, under- Relations between Germany and the countries in Central Eastern Eu- standing and involving player. Hence, to a high degree cooperation and rope, and their development after 1989 and 1991, are rather rare examples trust explain why relations between Germany and the Visegrad and Baltic of success stories in international