Poland and the Netherlands: A case study of European Relations Duco Hellema, Ryszard Zelichowski, Bert van der Zwan (eds.) DIVS - ISL, 4 (International Studies Library, 29) Dutch-Polish relations go back as far as the late Middle Ages. It is a history full of dramatic events, unexpected twists and serious rifts. This book focuses primarily on the relations between the Netherlands and Poland in the 20th century,...

Poland and the Netherlands: A case study of European Relations Duco Hellema, Ryszard Zelichowski, Bert van der Zwan (eds.) DIVS - ISL, 4 (International Studies Library, 29) Dutch-Polish relations go back as far as the late Middle Ages. It is a history full of dramatic events, unexpected twists and serious rifts. This book focuses primarily on the relations between the Netherlands and Poland in the 20th century, an episode historiografically generally neglected compared to the earlier period. Today Poland and the Netherlands have developed full political, economic and cultural ties. Both countries enjoy as sovereign states equal membership of the EU and NATO. It took a long way to come so far. Because of political circumstances, largely driven by developments outside the two countries' control, it was not an easy way to go. International politics, especially the Second World War, the succeeding Cold War and the collapse of the Berlin Wall influenced bilateral contacts deeply. It makes the story of modern Dutch-Polish relations the more fascinating. Table of Contents Introduction 1.Reflections on Polish-Dutch Relations in the 16th and 17th Centuries by Maria Bogucka 2.Polish-Dutch Cultural Relations in the 17th and 18th Centuries by Wojciech Kriegseisen 3.Poland and the Netherlands in the 19th century by Idesbald Goddeeris 4.The Netherlands and Poland in the interwar years, 1919-1939 by Remco van Diepen 5.The Two Governments-in-Exile in London by Magdalena Hulas 6.Maczek's and Sosabowski's men: The Polish contribution to the liberation of the Netherlands by Ben Schoenmaker 7.The Cold War Years: 1945-1975 by Duco Hellema 8.Different Degrees of Cold: Polish-Dutch relations 1945-1975 as seen from The Hague by Ryszard Żelichowski 9.Impressions of crucial years: Poland, 1977-1980 by Edy Korthals Altes 10."That Poland be Polish again"? Dutch policy on Poland, 1975-1989 by Floribert Baudet 11.The authorities of the Polish People's Republic and human rights issues in the CSCE process by Wanda Jarząbek 12.The Netherlands and Poland's accession to NATO: 1989-1999 by Duco Hellema and Lotte Kaatee 13.Reaching for NATO Membership: Selected Issues and Personal Memories by Henryk Szlajfer 14.The Netherlands and Poland's Accession to the European Union by Bianca Szytniewski and Mathieu Segers 15.Six years of Polish membership of the European Union by Agnieszka Cianciara About the Editors Duco Hellema is Professor of the History of International Relations at the History Institute of Utrecht University. He has published widely on Dutch foreign relations, the Cold War and the history of international relations in general. One of his recent books is: Dutch Foreign Policy. The Role of the Netherlands in World Politics (Dordrecht: Republic of Letters 2009). Ryszard Żelichowski (1946) graduated from Institute of History at Warsaw University and is Professor and Director for Research and Studies at the Institute of Political Studies of the Polish Academy of Sciences. He teaches Dutch history and culture and publishes on small states and special territories. Bert van der Zwan (1956) studied History at Leiden University. He is head of the Historical Unit of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He had published about the history of international relations and Dutch foreign policy.