German and Polish Energy Policies: Is Cooperation Possible?

Neighbours Poland and Germany have recently started to engage and intensify their dialogue on bilateral energy issues. This may prove to be an indispensable step forward in the future design of integrated EU energy and climate policies. The countries have found themselves on different planes with respect to EU environmental and climate policies. This paper explains the diverging approaches by focusing on the countries’ respective energy situations and political priorities within the strategic energy policy triangle. The triangle is composed of energy security, cost efficiency, and sustainability. The paper explores the bilateral challenges and opportunities in finding common ground for a partnership within a fully integrated EU energy market as well as with respect to its neighbourhood.