In an interview with public broadcaster Polish Radio 24 on Wednesday, the German ambassador was asked whether Berlin still holds the position that the issue of Polish reparation claims against Germany has been definitively closed.
“I think that from the German government's point of view, everything has been said on the issues of reparations,” Bagger replied.
The diplomat acknowledged that “in Germany, a pluralistic state, different views clash.” However, “the position of the federal government remains unchanged […] this topic is a Pandora's box, and it is better that this box remains untouched,” the ambassador said.
“The Germans understand that they have to address the pain and emotions of Poles related to World War II with full seriousness, both today and in the future. But this is a separate issue [from reparations]. Nothing good would come of it for Europe. And a united Europe is our future, not only the future of Germany, but also of Poland,” Bagger added.
In April, Poland’s government adopted a resolution “on the need to regulate, in Polish-German relations, the issue of reparations, compensation and redress” for the losses caused by the German invasion and subsequent occupation of Poland during World War II.
In September last year, the Polish government announced that the losses suffered by Poland at the hands of Nazi Germany during World War II totalled PLN 6.22 trillion (EUR 1.3 trillion) and that it would demand compensation from Berlin.
In October, Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau signed a formal note to the government in Berlin, demanding compensation for losses Poland sustained during the war.
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Source: PAP