dodis.ch/53172
Circular telegram1 by the Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Krzysztof
Skubiszewski2
Urgent
Warsaw, 1 February 1990
With regard to the ongoing discussion about German reunification, please find
below the position to be presented during talks:
The Polish government set out its position on the unity of the German nation under
international law or as a state in the foreign minister’s statement to the Sejm of 7
December 1989. The Polish government made it clear that it respects the right of the
Germans to self-determination. However, this right can be realized in the framework
of European order and stabilization. This order includes the existing borders between
the two German states and their neighbours. Both German states can only unite – in
one form or another – provided that Poland’s western border along the Oder and
Lusatian Neisse rivers is maintained. The rapprochement and ultimately fusion of the
two German states should proceed gradually even as our continent’s unity is restored
and a new security system is built in Europe. This is a complex and multi-stage
process. The unity of the German nation cannot be restored with a one-off declaration
or act. Changes across German territory must go hand-in-hand with changes in Europe
that support building structures that would encompass the whole of Europe. This does
not rule out regional institutions made up of certain countries, however. A reunited
German state will have its place in a thoroughly reformed and united Europe.