since 1999 a partnership exists to olsztyn county in the north-east of poland. from historical attachment and in view of the entry of poland in the european union the osnabrück district performs its special contribution to the development of the german-polish friendship. during the past years resulted narrow municipal connections to polish districts. thus the district as well as the municipality bad essen signed a declaration in 2002 about the collaboration with wałcz county; narrow contacts exist to gryfino county.