Poles love their Southern neighbors, not so much the East

Opinion about Germans varies though is generally rather positive, which is a surprise, taking into account the latest bitter historical and political disputes over WWII reparations, Iraq and the EU Constitution. The positive opinion can be explained by the fact that Poland and Germany are now partners in the new EU. Also the traditional admiration for Germany as a wealthy, prosperous state may have something to do with it. Poles consider the Ukraine, Belarus and Russia to be their worst neighbors, even though Polish governments have for many years considered Ukraine to be the country's crucial partner. Every twelfth Pole believes that the restoration of good contacts with Russia is impossible. (Gazeta Wyborcza, p. 4) A.F.