INVITATION
The German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP)
is pleased to invite you to the expert round-table
Looking back, looking forward:
Germany and East-Central Europe 30 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall
Friday, 8 November 2019, 12:30 – 2:00 p.m.
(Lunch: 12-12:30 pm) DGAP, Rauchstraße 17, 10787 Berlin
In the last 30 years, and in particular after the EU enlargement in 2004, Germany’s partnership with countries of East-Central Europe (ECE) has been growing both in terms of scope and depth. Nowadays, the four countries of the Visegrád Group have combined trade volume with Germany of over 250 billion euros, which collectively makes them the country’s largest economic partner ahead of China (€199 bn). Poland alone has recently overtaken the UK, making it into Germany’s top 5 trading partners. Yet, such a level of economic interdependence has not extended into a political dialogue or joint coalitions on the EU level. Also, it is facing significant structural and global challenges. Skilled but cheap labor and the geographical proximity which allowed the region to become Germany’s manufacturing hub, has reached its course. The economic partnership needs a sustainability upgrade, and better political dialogue to shape a joint forward-looking agenda for the next decade(s). In this small expert round-table, we want to discuss what could be parameters and drivers of a more forward-looking agenda between Germany and East-Central Europe-
Kick-off remarks:
Milan Nič, Head of the Robert Bosch Center for Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, and Central Asia, DGAP
Ute Kochlowski-Kadjaia, Managing Director of the German Eastern Business Association (OAOEV), Ost-Ausschuss
Dr. Volker Weichsel, Editor of OSTEUROPA, German Association for the Study of Eastern Europe, DGO
This event will be held in English. You are cordially invited to a small reception following the debate.