First Official Visit of the Newly Appointed Consul General of Germany in Kraków

On 14 July 2026, Stanisław Kracik, Acting Mayor of Kraków, received Marc Eichhorn, the newly appointed Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Kraków, at Kraków City Hall. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss Kraków’s cooperation with German partners to date and prospects for its further development.

“We are delighted to welcome you to Kraków. I am convinced that the positive atmosphere of cooperation between the Consulate General of Germany and Kraków City Hall will foster the implementation of further interesting projects,” said Stanisław Kracik.

Relations between Kraków and its German partners have been active and multifaceted for many years. Just one week earlier, an official delegation of the city authorities visited Nuremberg, taking part in celebrations marking the 30th anniversary of the activities of the Kraków House in Nuremberg and the Nuremberg House in Kraków. This year also marks the 35th anniversary of the partnership between Kraków and Frankfurt am Main. Another important anniversary is also approaching – the 50th anniversary of the partnership between Kraków and Nuremberg, which will be celebrated in 2029. Although there are still several years to go before this milestone, preparations for the programme of jubilee events will begin soon.

Economic cooperation also remains an important area of partnership. On 15 July, the third stage of the transformation of the MAN plant in Niepołomice will begin, accompanied by the launch of production of the new light electric urban truck, the eTGL. The investment is significant not only for the development of advanced manufacturing, but also confirms the high level of expertise among employees and specialists in our region.

Stanisław Kracik also highlighted the broader trend of locating projects in Kraków that require advanced engineering and digital expertise. One of the latest examples is the decision by global aerospace company Airbus to establish a new engineering centre in Kraków, creating hundreds of highly skilled jobs for specialists in engineering, software development and new technologies.

Consul General Marc Eichhorn emphasized that taking up his post in Kraków was a great honour. He also declared that the Consulate General under his leadership would continue to support initiatives aimed at developing Polish-German cooperation, as well as Kraków’s partnerships with German cities and institutions.

Both interlocutors agreed that building good relations between Poland and Germany is an intergenerational task requiring consistency and commitment. As Stanisław Kracik emphasized: “It is people who become friends, not documents.” Kraków’s longstanding and active relations with its partner cities in Germany are the best confirmation of these words.

More information about Kraków’s cooperation with German cities is available on the “Kraków – Open to the World” website.

Marc Eichhorn is an experienced German diplomat. He studied economics, history and Romance studies and, after graduating from the Diplomatic Academy of the Federal Foreign Office, began his diplomatic career.

During his career, he served at diplomatic missions in, among others, Poland, Japan, the United States, Libya, the United Kingdom, Afghanistan, Iraq and Canada. He also held numerous positions at the Federal Foreign Office in Bonn and Berlin and headed German consular missions in Erbil and Vancouver.

He has been connected with Poland since the beginning of his professional career. Before taking up his position as Consul General in Kraków, he worked at the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Warsaw and completed a Polish-language course. His new diplomatic mission in Kraków will certainly provide further opportunities to improve his knowledge of the Polish language.