German-Czech friendship is built on a foundation of trust and cooperation: the Treaty on Good Neighbourliness, Friendship and Cooperation of 1992 and the German-Czech Declaration of 1997 laid the cornerstones for a partnership which has been transcending borders and bringing people together for several decades.

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The COVID-19 pandemic presented the border region with major challenges. Suddenly, a barrier separated what had previously belonged together: families, commuters and companies had to find creative solutions in order to go about their daily lives. But it was particularly at this difficult time that Germany and Czechia grew even closer together. Joint assistance measures, the cross-border exchange of information and mutual support strengthened the trust and solidarity between the two countries. This experience has reinforced the desire to carry on removing barriers and to foster integration in the border region. The German Government continues to work on measures which make the lives of people on both sides of the border easier.

In July 2023, Federal Minister Annalena Baerbock travelled to the German-Czech border region. Together with her Czech counterpart Jan Lipavský, she visited Vejprty und Bärenstein, which are separated by a border but where there is no sense of distance between people. During the meeting, the Foreign Ministers learned more about the experiences of cross-border commuters during the pandemic as well as the successful cooperation between fire brigades and police forces across the border.

The German-Czech regional forum

In order to strengthen networking among stakeholders in administration, civil society, business and science, the Federal Foreign Office initiated the first German-Czech regional forum in Chemnitz in 2023. With the support of Bavaria, Saxony and the Czech Republic, more than 200 participants came together to exchange ideas and present successful projects. The second regional forum took place a year later in Liberec. The dynamic series of events with plenary discussions, workshops and information sessions send a clear message: German-Czech cooperation should continue to grow. The aim is to establish the regional forum as a permanent institution to provide regular input concerning cross-border cooperation.

This cooperation is the result of ongoing efforts and has not come about by chance. There have been interministerial working groups involving Bavaria, Saxony and Czechia for more than 30 years. In addition, five Euroregions foster exchange: from Neisse-Nysa-Nisa to the EUREGIO Bayerischer Wald/Šumava. Each of these regions helps to implement cross-border projects and to foster greater interaction.

From cross-border infrastructure to education and research, not to mention cultural projects, there are numerous initiatives focused on highlighting borders as links rather than dividing lines. This partnership shows that we are stronger together.