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Poland reiterates WWII reparations demand amid talks with Germany
(MENAFN) The issue of World War II reparations resurfaced during a meeting between German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Tuesday, highlighting a sensitive historical dispute. Tusk reiterated Poland’s demand for compensation, which Merz rejected.
At a joint press conference, Tusk stressed that “Germany is adhering to the formal diplomatic agreement from the 1950s” but added that “those who know history know that… Poland had no say in the matter.” He argued, “The renunciation of reparations by the Poles at that time is not seen as an act in accordance with the will of the Polish nation.”
Tusk referred to Berlin’s position that Poland waived its claims in a 1953 agreement with East Germany, and that the 1990 treaty on German reunification settled the issue. While Germany acknowledges responsibility for Nazi crimes, it has consistently refused to reopen the reparations question.
Merz said, “We must keep memories alive, even painful ones. I hope that we can do this in a way that does not divide us, but brings us closer together.”
Reparations have long strained Polish-German relations. The former Law and Justice (PiS) government, in power between 2015 and 2023, demanded that Germany pay 6.2 trillion Polish zloty (€1.3 trillion) for damages under Nazi occupation. Earlier this year, Tusk suggested Warsaw would no longer pursue those claims, but the demand was renewed under the presidency of Karol Nawrocki, who is aligned with PiS.
Ties between the two EU nations have also been tense over migration and Poland’s efforts to gain greater influence within the bloc. Tusk noted that during his last discussion with German officials, there were 10,000 more potential claimants still alive.
Merz announced plans to build a Berlin memorial for Polish victims of Nazi Germany, pledged to return looted cultural artifacts, and indicated that Germany would explore additional support for Polish victims of Nazi aggression.
The German invasion of Poland in 1939 triggered the Second World War. Nazi occupation lasted until 1945, when Soviet and local forces liberated the country. Poland suffered approximately six million deaths during the conflict.
At a joint press conference, Tusk stressed that “Germany is adhering to the formal diplomatic agreement from the 1950s” but added that “those who know history know that… Poland had no say in the matter.” He argued, “The renunciation of reparations by the Poles at that time is not seen as an act in accordance with the will of the Polish nation.”
Tusk referred to Berlin’s position that Poland waived its claims in a 1953 agreement with East Germany, and that the 1990 treaty on German reunification settled the issue. While Germany acknowledges responsibility for Nazi crimes, it has consistently refused to reopen the reparations question.
Merz said, “We must keep memories alive, even painful ones. I hope that we can do this in a way that does not divide us, but brings us closer together.”
Reparations have long strained Polish-German relations. The former Law and Justice (PiS) government, in power between 2015 and 2023, demanded that Germany pay 6.2 trillion Polish zloty (€1.3 trillion) for damages under Nazi occupation. Earlier this year, Tusk suggested Warsaw would no longer pursue those claims, but the demand was renewed under the presidency of Karol Nawrocki, who is aligned with PiS.
Ties between the two EU nations have also been tense over migration and Poland’s efforts to gain greater influence within the bloc. Tusk noted that during his last discussion with German officials, there were 10,000 more potential claimants still alive.
Merz announced plans to build a Berlin memorial for Polish victims of Nazi Germany, pledged to return looted cultural artifacts, and indicated that Germany would explore additional support for Polish victims of Nazi aggression.
The German invasion of Poland in 1939 triggered the Second World War. Nazi occupation lasted until 1945, when Soviet and local forces liberated the country. Poland suffered approximately six million deaths during the conflict.
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