Four federal states want better rail connections to Poland

The four states of Brandenburg, Saxony, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Berlin, together with four Polish regions, are pushing for better rail connections from Germany to Poland. Brandenburg's Minister President Dietmar Woidke (SPD) warned the black-red federal government against neglecting the expansion of transport routes to Poland. As part of the Oder Partnership, the federal states and four Polish voivodeships appealed to the federal government to expand the Eastern Railway. Poland's Deputy Foreign Minister also called for this.

"In my view, I cannot understand the reluctance towards projects that have to do with Poland and are intended to improve the infrastructure towards Poland," said Woidke at a top-level meeting of the Oder Partnership in Poznan. Especially in these times, when many people doubt the unity of Europe, "Europe and Germany should set an example here and build bridges and not let these bridges fall apart".

Poland calls for infrastructure expansion

The line between Berlin and Küstrin-Kietz, which continues towards Poland, is not electrified and is partly single-track on the German side. Around two years ago, a bridge was opened over the Oder between Kostrzyn in Poland and Küstrin-Kietz in Brandenburg. Woidke also considers the Eastern Railway to be important as an alternative route, as the modernization of the Berlin-Frankfurt (Oder) line could lead to traffic disruptions in a few years' time. He is also concerned about the expansion of highway 12 around Frankfurt (Oder). The regions are also "concerned" that the electrification of the Dresden-Görlitz line and the completion of the Angermünde-Stettin line could be delayed.

Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Henryka Moscicka-Dendys called on the German government to provide the necessary funds. "If we are talking about economic cooperation and a common market, then we need this infrastructure," she said in Poznan. It is important "that we really make an effort here and find the financial resources". She emphasized: "Poland is very ambitious when it comes to expanding the railroads. It would be good if we could also adapt our networks."

The four federal states and the voivodeships of Greater Poland, Lubusz Land, West Pomerania and Lower Silesia also discussed the need for more protection against cyber attacks. Brandenburg will chair the Oder Partnership for two years. The Oder Partnership has existed since 2006 with the aim of creating a closely networked, economically strong region.