Netherlands–Poland relations

Dutch – Polish relations

Netherlands	Poland

Netherlands–Poland relations are the bilateral relations between the Netherlands and Poland. Both nations are members of the Council of Europe, European Union, NATO and OECD.

History

Early history

Two countries have a long-standing relationship dated back from the Middle Ages. In 1489, Dutch Catholic monks settled in Chełmno, however, due to the Reformation in the Netherlands, there was no influx of further Dutch monks.

The strong tie began at 16th century when Dutch Mennonites began to settle in Poland in the mid-1500s to flee from persecutions across Europe. They settled mainly in the Vistula delta, and later also in Masovia and in Michalin in the Berdyczów county. Many of Mennonites' technique, cultures, contributions are still remaining in Poland today as an example of historical tolerance of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth.

There were also some migrations from Poland to the Netherlands, and migrations of non-Mennonites from the Netherlands to Poland. Notable Dutch immigrants in Poland included Arend Dickmann, Admiral of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Navy who led Poland to victory in the naval Battle of Oliwa of 1627 against the Swedish invaders (see also: Poland–Sweden relations), Adam Wybe, inventor who constructed the world's first aerial lift in Gdańsk, Poland in 1644, and famous 17th-century Baroque architect Tylman van Gameren. Dutch artist Hans Vredeman de Vries was also active in Poland. On the other hand, Poland's most renowned 17th-century astronomer, Jan Heweliusz, studied at the Leiden University before his return to Poland, whereas renowned 18th-century Dutch physicist Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit was an immigrant from Poland.

The Great Armoury in Gdańsk (left) was inspired by the Vleeshal in Haarlem (right).

As a result of intense cultural exchange, some Mannerist structures in Poland were inspired by the Mannerist architecture of the Netherlands.

During the Dutch Golden Age, goods were transported between the Netherlands and Poland freely, with Dutch traders gained dominant positions in trade with the Poles, to the expansion of arts and architecture. The Dutch Republic was Poland's largest partner in maritime trade, and as of 1585, Dutch ships made up 52% of the ships passing from the Polish chief port city of Gdańsk through the Øresund strait to western Europe. Also the city of Królewiec acted as an intermediary in maritime trade between Poland and the Netherlands, with its 17th-century stock exchange including a painting depicting a townswoman buying goods from a Pole and a Dutchman, embracing the notion that the city's prosperity was based on trade with the East and West, particularly Poland and the Netherlands. The Poles imported mainly cloth, wine and precious goods, especially pearls, while the Dutch imported mainly grain, wax, flax, tar and beer. Some Polish bankers brokered loans and held assets in Dutch banks. During the 1766 Polish monetary reform, the new Polish ducats were modeled on Dutch ducats, common in circulation in Poland.

Relationship between two countries would have been severed by the Partitions of Poland, and for most of next 123 years, there had been no official tie between two. Nonetheless, Polish immigrants fleeing persecution in Russia, Austria and Prussia got supported in the Netherlands and sometimes settled there. In the late 18th century, some Dutch Mennonites settled near the cities of Lwów and Gródek Jagielloński in the Austrian Partition of Poland.

20th century

Residents of Breda thank soldiers of the Polish 1st Armoured Division for liberating the city from German occupation (1944)

After the World War I and the rebirth of Poland, two countries once again established relations. However, there were little to no formal connections until the World War II when Nazi Germany launched invasions on both nations. Being victims of Nazi brutality, Poles and Dutch shared common frontier fighting against the Nazis. The 1st Polish Armoured Division joined as part of the Allies led by the United Kingdom participated in Dutch liberation war against Nazis, and was praised for its valiant efforts on its fight to free both Poland and the Netherlands.

Thousands of residents of Utrecht bid farewell to a convoy of 120 trucks with Christmas packages to Poland (1981)

However, after the World War II, the Netherlands and Poland was completely cut off for the second time, with Poland falling to the communists controlled by the Soviet Union at the Eastern Bloc; while the Netherlands were part of Western Bloc of the Cold War. Nonetheless, Dutchmen supported Solidarity movement to topple the communists in Poland, which was a complete success and overthrowing communist rule in Central and Eastern Europe together.

Trade

The Netherlands is now Poland's no.1 investor among European Union, in total €30,3 billion in 2015. There are about 2,500 enterprises operating in the Polish market with Dutch shareholding that are employing over 120,000 people in Poland.

Diaspora

Polish diaspora exists in the Netherlands, and is perceived well by the Dutch locals. Polish immigrants form the sixth largest immigration group to the Netherlands.

Resident diplomatic missions

• Netherlands has an embassy in Warsaw.
• Poland has an embassy in The Hague.

• 
  Embassy of the Netherlands in Warsaw
• 
  Embassy of Poland in The Hague

See also

• Foreign relations of the Netherlands
• Foreign relations of Poland
• Poles in the Netherlands
• Dutch people in Poland