Scholz promises compensation to victims of Nazi terror in Poland
Germany and Poland aim to improve their strained relationship. This includes financial compensation for 40,000 victims of German occupation. Aid could start flowing in just a few months. Additionally, cooperation in the areas of security and defense is to be expanded.
Survivors of German occupation in Poland during World War II are expected to receive aid from the German government in the near future. Moreover, Germany and Poland aim to establish 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. Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz traveled to Poland accompanied by twelve federal and state ministers during budget negotiations.
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 German occupation, and for the mandate that arises from that," Scholz said at a joint press conference with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Germany stands by its historical responsibility without ifs and buts. According to Tusk, financial support is expected to start flowing in just a few months.
In the past few years, the national-conservative PiS government, which ruled Poland from 2015 to 2023, had strained relations with Berlin with nationalist tones and reparations demands of 1.3 billion Euros. Since November 2018, there have been no government consultations. The PiS government was replaced by a Center-Left coalition under Tusk in December. Since then, the climate has improved. "The situation of older victims is one that moves us deeply, and we will also take action," the Bundeskanzler emphasized.
Tusk described the announcement of the Federal Chancellor as a step in the right direction. "There is no financial amount that could make up for what happened in the Second World War," Tusk 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 aid promised by the German government for the victims of the occupation could serve as a new opening in German-Polish relations. "Because kind gestures are also important in politics," Tusk added. Polish Prime Minister stressed, in view of the Russian aggression war against Ukraine, that German engagement for security in Europe is particularly important to him at the moment. "For me, it is important that Germany is ready for a much larger responsibility for the security of the continent, that there is no war in Europe."
Action plan makes room for defense [
Scholz did not specify when and how much compensation the approximately 40,000 still living victims of 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." Cooperation in the field of security and defense is to be intensified. We stand together firmly by the side of Ukrainian women and men.
Tusk welcomed the Federal Chancellor's announcement as a step in the right direction. "There is no monetary amount that could make up for what happened in the Second World War," Tusk 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 aid promised by the German government for the victims of the occupation could serve as a new opening in German-Polish relations. "Because kind gestures are also important in politics," Tusk added. Polish Prime Minister emphasized, in view of the Russian aggression war against Ukraine, that German engagement for security in Europe is particularly important to him at the moment. "For me, it is important that Germany is ready for a much larger responsibility for the security of the continent, that there is no war in Europe."
The action plan makes ample room for defense, Scholz and Tusk agreed in their joint statement. They also intend to strengthen economic ties and cultural cooperation. The two leaders expressed their commitment to the European Union and NATO. They also emphasized the importance of the rule of law and the protection of human rights. The German-Polish government consultations are to continue regularly in the future.
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 is intended to remind of the complex German-Polish history and the brutal German occupation during World War II (1939-1945) and create a place of remembrance for Polish victims. Both sides value a swift completion of this building, as stated in the document.
The Action Plan dedicates ample space to the topic of defense. Poland, an EU and NATO member, is one of the most active political and military supporters of the attacked Ukraine. In addition, the country, which also borders Ukraine, Belarus, and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, has gained 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."
Concretely, there is talk of developing joint initiatives in the field of tanks and ammunition. This also includes increased availability of spare parts for Leopard battle tanks, which both countries have supplied to Ukraine. Furthermore, Poland and Germany plan to align their efforts to create a stronger and more effective European pillar in NATO, which significantly contributes to the deterrence potential of the alliance, as it is further stated. Poland is also considering participating in the German-coordinated initiative "European Sky Shield" to strengthen European air defense.
The PiS party, which previously ruled Poland and had strained relations with Germany, is no longer in power since the Center-Left coalition took over under Prime Minister Tusk. Olaf Scholz, the German Federal Chancellor, visited Poland and discussed an action plan with Tusk, which includes financial compensation for victims of German occupation during the Second World War in Warsaw.
