Weimar Triangle Strengthens Action for the Resilience and Competitiveness of the EU Transport System

The meeting opens a new chapter in transport cooperation based on the initiative launched in 1991.

Today, transport infrastructure is more than just roads, railways and ports. It is the driving force of the European economy. It ensures supply chain continuity. It determines our ability to respond to crises – and thus the security and development of our countries. We are meeting to open a new chapter in European cooperation, within which Poland, France and Germany will jointly shape the future of transport in Europe.

– said Minister of Infrastructure Dariusz Klimczak.

Poland, France and Germany are at the centre of European transport and mobility policy. As three European countries with the longest railway networks, stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the eastern borders of the EU, our cooperation shapes the Union’s ability to ensure resilient and efficient mobility in times of crisis. Together with our operators, across all modes of transport, we hold the key to enhancing the sector’s competitiveness and organising its transformation to achieve EU climate objectives, while guaranteeing the sovereignty of our mobility solutions and industry.

– said French Minister for Transport Philippe Tabarot.

With this first trilateral meeting, we are laying the foundations for the coordinated further development of cross-border transport. In doing so, we strengthen Europe’s defence readiness, the competitiveness of our economy and the mobility of our citizens. The resilience of our transport infrastructure – especially dual-use infrastructure serving both civilian and military purposes – is crucial for Europe’s defence preparedness. We welcome the European Commission’s initiative on military mobility. To ensure a strong European transport sector, we must reduce bureaucracy and streamline planning and permitting procedures at EU level, together with our partners from Poland and France. Cross-border rail transport between our countries also plays a key role: through coordinated timetables and close cooperation, we are improving mobility in very practical terms for our citizens and businesses.

– said German Minister Patrick Schnieder.

Focus on Resilience and Security

The first part of the meeting was devoted to an exchange of views on strengthening the resilience of the transport system in times of crisis, including in the context of the European Union’s internal and external security. The ministers stressed the importance of a strong and coordinated EU transport policy capable of addressing current geopolitical challenges.

They agreed that the development of coherent and interoperable dual-use (civilian and military) transport links – especially cross-border connections within the TEN-T network – remains a priority. They also highlighted the importance of EU-level infrastructure financing for both civilian and military mobility.

Competitiveness and High-Speed Rail Links

The second session of Polish-French-German talks focused on the competitiveness of the European transport sector, with particular emphasis on transport connections.

Discussions centred primarily on rail development, including prospects for launching high-speed rail connections between Warsaw and Berlin, as well as Warsaw and Paris. The ministers also addressed rational decarbonisation of transport to enhance competitiveness and independence of the sector, and the simplification of EU transport regulations.

Joint Declaration and Industry Cooperation

The key outcome of the meeting was the signing of a joint declaration on further transport cooperation between the Weimar Triangle countries. The declaration recognises the importance of meetings in this format for strengthening the security, resilience and competitiveness of the European transport system.

I am pleased that this first meeting has initiated permanent cooperation between the transport ministers of the Weimar Triangle countries. We will continue our dialogue on improving competitiveness not only in rail, but also in aviation, road transport, maritime transport, ports and inland waterways. I am confident that through our joint actions we will enhance the resilience and security of the European transport sector.

– said Minister Klimczak.

The event was also attended by representatives of national railway companies: the PKP Group, the SNCF Group and DB Cargo. Representatives of these companies signed a trilateral joint declaration expressing their intention to further strengthen cooperation.The Weimar Triangle was established in 1991 by the foreign ministers of Poland, France and Germany to overcome divisions in Europe and bring Poland closer to European and Euro-Atlantic structures. Today, it serves as a platform for dialogue and joint solutions on European policy issues between the governments in Warsaw, Paris and Berlin.