Relations between the Germans and Poles improved greatly last week when the Polish foreign minister met with his German counterpart in Berlin. Radoslaw Sikorski of Poland and Frank-Walter Steinmeier of Germany made a breakthrough in relations between their countries, according to an unnamed German official. The two countries are ready to open a new chapter in their relationship, the two ministers told the press.

The two men spoke about many issues that had been points of contention between Germany and Poland. Germany allayed Polish fears over the Germany/Russia Baltic gas pipeline by assuring Poland that Germany would guarantee emergency supplies if Russia pulled the plug on Poland. The situation in other former Soviet satellites, such as Georgia and the Ukraine, was discussed, as was relations with nato and the EU.

Poland’s relations with the EU have dramatically improved in the past few months. Whereas historically, Poland has tried to put the brakes on EU integration, now it has reversed its position. “In an effort to improve the country’s reputation of being a trouble-maker on European issues, Poland is set to be the first to ratify the EU bloc’s new institutional set-up, agreed in October,” wrote the EUobserver.

Poland’s new prime minister, Donald Tusk, elected last month, is far more pro-Europe, and pro-German, than his predecessor. He recently indicated that his country will work toward signing up to the EU’s Charter of Fundamental Rights, which it had originally opted out of.

Without Poland acting as a brake, expect for European integration to run a little smoother. Poland and Germany will edge ever closer. For anyone familiar with the propensity Germans have for wanting control of Poland, however, this is an ominous development.