Szczecin

Countries: Germany , Poland

Presentation

The city of Szczecin (population 407,811) is crossed by the Oder river in the West Pomerania Voivodeship on the Polish side, and the State of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern on the German side. The Oder, which was the subject of many disputes between Poland and Germany, runs through the heart of the Polish city. Formerly known by the German name “Stettin” when it was still part of Prussian territory, the city was allocated to Poland following the end of the Second World War, under the terms of the Potsdam Agreement.

Szczecin, which is situated in proximity to the Baltic Sea, has developed numerous commercial and industrial activities around the river navigation. On the peninsula within the city stands one of the largest ports in Poland, 20 km south of Szczecin Lagoon which communicates directly with the Baltic Sea and whose capacity to accommodate for oil tankers and colliers has been improved since the development of the canal. The Polish city is also reputed for its many green spaces, and quality of life.

Gateway to the Baltic

The location of the port is ideal for the transit of goods, not only between Western Europe and the Baltic States, but also between the Scandinavian countries and Southern Europe. Hub of European trade, Szczecin also occupies a privileged position in the road network, as the town is linked to Berlin by the A6 motorway and to southern Europe by Expressway Nº3.

Cross-border cooperation

The conurbation is home to prestigious institutions including the headquarters of NATO’s Multinational Corps Northeast (Denmark, Germany, and Poland). Its proximity to Germany, along with a shared history, naturally affords Szczecin a place in the “Oder-Partnerschaft” network, which it has occupied since 2006. The aim of this networked partnership between cities, regions, Länder and Voivodeships bordering the Oder is to revive economic competitiveness that has been flagging since the fall of the Berlin wall and the break-up of the USSR. Certain sectors such as tourism, transport and property have already benefitted from an increase in activity thanks to the advantages of the border location. The Mecklenburg-Vorpommern/Brandenburg – Zachodniopomorskie Interreg programme also contributes to the development of joint projects and to closer cooperation between Germans and Poles.