The benefits of regional integration

On June 17, Germany and Poland celebrate the 25th anniversary of the German-Polish Treaty on good neighbourly and friendly relations. The close partnership that characterises the relations between our countries is not self-evident.

During more than 1,000 years of neighbourship, relations between Poland and Germany were often difficult and marred by conflict. The worst episode in the history of the two countries started with the invasion of Poland by Nazi Germany in 1939.

This resulted in millions of people being killed, the destruction of Warsaw and other major cities. As a consequence, a dramatic shifting of borders occurred with more millions of people forced to emigrate and abandon their homelands.

Despite the division of the European continent after 1945 and the Cold War, the process of reconciliation between Germany and Poland began as early as 1965 with a Letter of Reconciliation by Polish Catholic bishops to their German counterparts.

Crucial for its success was the German willingness to acknowledge the crimes committed against the Polish people and the unequivocal acceptance of responsibility for the suffering caused during the Second World War. Today Germany and Poland are friends and partners in the European Union which Poland joined in 2004. Both countries benefit from the level of integration the European Union, of which both are members, has brought about.

The example of German-Polish relations is relevant for the East African region because it demonstrates that enmity and rivalry can be overcome and replaced by a mutually beneficial relationship grounded in a set of shared values, characterised by equality and mutual respect for each other and strengthened by economic cooperation and cultural exchange.

In the case of both the European Union and the East African Community there are three outstanding benefits that regional integration can bring.

First, regional integration is an important building block in deterring violent conflicts between nations. Conflict is replaced by constructive dialogue. There hasn’t been a war between members of the European Union since it was created.

In Europe the focus has been on creating a single market based on economic freedom and on creating effective common political institutions to deal with issues that concern all members and require attention. The connectivity between countries is much higher now than it ever was in the past.

More connectivity tends to generate trust and a need for trust. Common interests and common institutions reduce the potential for conflict, conflict that formerly could lead to war. In East Africa we see the potential that exists in regional organisations.

Secondly, regional integration implies the lowering of barriers to trade, thus benefiting the economy and increasing the well-being of the member states’ citizens. Arguably there is no regional integration without this economic component.

Trade between members has arguably been the single most important factor contributing to the creation of jobs and increasing the standards of living both in the EU and the EAC. For example, Germany is Poland’s most important trading partner today and Poland is one of the 10 most important trading partners for Germany.

The same is true for Kenya whose most important trading partner is Uganda and the intra-EAC trade volume is growing dramatically. Regional economic integration can be further enhanced in fields like energy and infrastructure.

Thirdly, education and cultural exchanges have the potential to enhance regional integration for the benefit of all members. Cultural differences between and within states will continue to exist both in Europe and in East Africa. These differences, however, should not be regarded as sources of conflict, but as sources of diversity, beauty and inspiration.

Finally, we should mention the cross-border cooperation. Almost immediately following the political transformations of the early 1990s, German-Polish cross-border cooperation started, aiming at an equitable and balanced development of the cross-border areas by strengthening the links between citizens, businesses and institutions.

Common social and cultural activities have already greatly contributed to breaking down the language barrier. The development and the economic competitiveness of the border territory is implemented through improvement of local infrastructure and the environmental situation, as well as by fostering of economic links, bringing together the scientific community, and supporting SMEs in cross-border marketing actions.

We would like to conclude by asserting that the essence of the German-Polish experience holds true for East Africa as well: within regional organisations there are often different interests – including different national interests. These differences are legitimate and must be respected. Cooperation based on trust will always be more beneficial for all concerned than any other alternative we can imagine.

-Ms Frasch is German Ambassador to Kenya