Government consultations - Scholz: Aid for victims of German occupation in Poland
Survivors of the German occupation in Poland during World War II are expected to receive help from the German government in the near future. In addition, Germany and Poland aim to rebase their cooperation on a new foundation with an action plan. These are the results of the German-Polish government consultations, which took place in Warsaw after a long break. During the budget negotiations, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) traveled to Poland accompanied by twelve federal and state ministers. This meeting marks a new beginning in the difficult relations between the two countries.
"Germany is aware of the gravity of its responsibility, for the millions of victims of the German occupation, and for the mandate that arises from it," said Scholz at a joint press conference with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Germany stands by its historical responsibility without ifs and buts. According to Tusk, the financial support is expected to flow in a few months.
The PiS government strained the relationship with antideutsche tones and reparations demands of 1.3 billion Euro
In the past years, the national-conservative PiS government, which ruled Poland from 2015 to 2023, damaged the relationship with Berlin with antideutsche tones and reparations demands of 1.3 billion Euro. Since November 2018, there have been no government consultations due to this. In December, the PiS government was replaced by a coalition government under Tusk. Since then, the climate has improved.
"The situation of older victims is one that moves us deeply, and we will also take action," emphasized the Federal Chancellor. Scholz did not specify when and how much compensation the approximately 40,000 still living victims of the German occupation in Poland will receive. Taking responsibility for the past means taking responsibility for the common future, Scholz continued. "Poland's security is also Germany's security." The cooperation in the field of security and defense should be deliberately expanded. We stand together firmly by the side of Ukrainian women and men.
Tusk: Gestures are also important in politics
Tusk described the announcement of the Federal Chancellor as a step in the right direction. "There is no monetary amount that can make up for what happened in the Second World War," he said. In a formal and legal sense, the question of reparations has been settled, as Polish governments have seen it in the past. However, the financial support promised by the German government for the victims of the occupation can serve as a new opening in German-Polish relations. "Because good gestures are also very important in politics," Tusk said.
Poland's Prime Minister emphasized that, in view of the Russian aggression war against Ukraine, German engagement for security in Europe is currently of particular importance to him. "For me, it is important that Germany is ready for a much larger responsibility for the security of the continent, that it is ready to prevent war in Europe."
Action plan focuses on defense
In a 40-page action plan, both sides recorded further steps of the planned cooperation. Another project in the service of reconciliation is the construction of the German-Polish House in Berlin. The house should remind of the complicated German-Polish history and the brutal German occupation during World War II (1939-1945) and create a place of remembrance for the Polish victims. Both sides value a rapid completion of this building, as stated in the paper.
A large portion of the Action Plan is dedicated to the theme of defense. Poland, an EU and NATO member, is one of the most engaged political and military supporters of the attacked Ukraine by Russia. Additionally, as a country that borders Ukraine, Belarus, and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, Poland has taken on new significance as a frontline state. The document states: "We will strengthen interoperability and standardization of our defense capabilities, increase production capacities, and boost investments in our defense industry."
Initiatives in Tanks and Ammunition
Concretely, it is about developing joint initiatives in the field of tanks and ammunition. This also includes an increased availability of spare parts for Leopard combat tanks, which have been delivered to both countries for Ukraine.
Furthermore, Poland and Germany plan to align their efforts to create a stronger and more capable European pillar in NATO, which significantly contributes to the deterrence potential of the alliance, it continues. Poland is also considering participating in Germany's coordinated initiative "European Sky Shield" for European air defense.
The Federal Chancellor and his crew traveled to Poland for budget negotiations, aiming to improve relations strained by the PiS government's antideutsche tones and reparations demands of 1.3 billion Euro. Scholz mentioned Germany's historical responsibility towards the victims of the German occupation during World War II in Poland and emphasized the importance of Poland's security.
Tusk appreciated the German government's announcement as a significant step in the right direction, highlighting the importance of good gestures in politics. He noted that the promised financial support could serve as a new opening in German-Polish relations, although reparations have been settled in the past.
The action plan, focusing on defense, includes projects to strengthen interoperability and standardization of defenses, increase production capacities, and boost investments in defense industries. Concrete initiatives involve developing joint initiatives in tanks and ammunition, including an increased availability of Leopard combat tanks' spare parts for Ukraine.
In terms of European security, both countries plan to align their efforts to create a stronger and more capable European pillar in NATO, contributing to the deterrence potential of the alliance. Poland is also considering participating in the German initiative "European Sky Shield" for European air defense.
Donald Tusk emphasized Germany's role in ensuring security in Europe as crucial, given the Russian aggression against Ukraine. He expressed his hope that Germany would be ready for a larger responsibility in preventing war in Europe.
Olaf Scholz expressed his concern for the situation of older victims of the German occupation in Poland, vowing to take action yet without providing specifics on compensation amounts or timelines. He also reiterated Germany's commitment to Poland's security and emphasized the importance of cooperation in the field of security and defense.
The PiS government, who ruled Poland from 2015 to 2023, damaged relations with antideutsche tones and reparations demands, causing a long break in government consultations between the two countries. However, since the PiS government was replaced by a coalition government under Tusk in December, the climate has gradually improved.
The German-Polish House in Berlin is another project aimed at reconciliation, a place of remembrance for Polish victims of the brutal German occupation during World War II. Both sides look forward to a rapid completion of this building, as stated in the action plan.
