Diplomatic documents · 1989–1990
A selection of telegrams, memos, minutes and letters from embassies and foreign ministries in eleven countries, set against the events from autumn 1989 to German unity.
Brandenburger Tor, 30 Jahre Mauerfall (2019): New York-air, CC BY-SA 4.0
Hungary opens its border to Austria for GDR citizens
Information concerning Polish-West German talks about over 50 East German citizens staying at the West German Embassy in Warsaw. How possible solutions could impact Poland’s relations with the GDR and the FRG are discussed.
Janusz Fekecz, Poland · Ministry of Foreign Affairs–
Warsaw, 14 September 1989
Read documentMonday demonstration in Leipzig
Honecker is replaced by Egon Krenz as SED General Secretary
The Berlin Wall opens
Report on the fall of the Berlin Wall and mass crossings by East German citizens into West Berlin.
Janusz Obodowski, Poland · Embassy in BerlinKrysztof Skubiszweski, Poland · Ministry of Foreign Affairs
East Berlin, 10 November 1989, 1.00 a.m.
Read documentDuring the conversation between Foreign Minister Skubiszewski and Chancellor Kohl the latter’s decision to interrupt his visit to Poland and the impact of the fall of the Berlin Wall on Polish-West German relations were discussed.
Poland · Ministry of Foreign Affairs–
Read documentKohl presents his Ten-Point Plan
The ten-point plan for German reunification is assessed and the lack of any information about the inviolability of the Polish-German border is criticised.
Ryszard Karski, Poland · Embassy in CologneBolesław Kulski, Poland · Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Immediately CologneThe Polish Embassy in the FRG Federal Republic of Germany was situated in Cologne., 29 November 1989, 6.20 p.m.
Read documentThe Brandenburg Gate reopens
The heads of Polish diplomatic missions abroad are given the following instruction: Polish support for German reunification is made contingent upon Germany recognizing Poland’s western border along the Oder and Lusatian Neisse Rivers.
Krysztof Skubiszweski, Poland · Ministry of Foreign Affairs–
Warsaw, 1 February 1990
Read documentOttawa: agreement on the Two-plus-Four talks
First free elections to the GDR People’s Chamber
First Two-plus-Four ministerial meeting in Bonn
Monetary, economic and social union enters into force
Arkhyz, Caucasus: Kohl and Gorbachev agree on a united Germany in NATO
Unification Treaty signed
Two-plus-Four Treaty signed in Moscow
German reunification
Summary of the talks between Prime Minister Mazowiecki and Chancellor Kohl. The current developments and arrangements for immediate measures, plans to sign a border treaty and a good neighbourly relations treaty, and the decision to abolish the visa requirement are discussed.
Jerzy Sułek, Poland · Ministry of Foreign AffairsPoland · Government
Warsaw, 11 November 1990
Read documentGerman–Polish Border Treaty signed