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The German-Polish borderland was created after the Second World War. The massive population exchange, the special restrictions in border zones which, to a large extent, limited freedom of movement and the friendship propaganda towards the German Democratic Republic as well as the hostile propaganda against the West Germany, have had a tremendous impact on regional culture and the bilateral relations. Only the political and economic transformation of Poland, and the unification of Germany, opened new possibilities for bilateral relations.
A pre-condition for the development of the bilateral cooperation was the German-Polish Border Treaty signed on 14 November 1990 which confirmed the border on the rivers Oder and Neisse. It was followed by the German-Polish Treaty of Good Neighborhood and Friendly Cooperation, signed on 17 June 1991, which laid a foundation for institutionalized cooperation between Poland and Germany in political and economic spheres, in academic and cultural exchange, and the formation of a youth exchange program.
The cross-border cooperation was developed in the context of the European integration process. The access to the European funds and cooperation programs enabled establishing institutional structures as Euroregions and Eurocities and the development of cooperation projects. Currently, the borderland is characterized by vivid cross-border activities and transnational social practices.