As the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Tuesday (3), the German government has formally rejected a Polish application to negotiate compensation for damage suffered in World War II.
“According to the federal government, the issue of war reparations and compensation has been closed and the federal government has no intention of entering into negotiations on this matter,” said a statement released by diplomacy after receiving an official reply from Berlin.
Poland added that it would continue to seek compensation for “German aggression and occupation between 19391945”.
In September, Poland estimated World War II losses at around €1.3 billion and sent a formal diplomatic note to Berlin asking for compensation.
The press service of the Federal Foreign Office confirmed to AFP this Tuesday that the federal government “replied to an oral communication from Poland dated October 3, 2022” and confirmed that “the content of its diplomatic correspondence” would not be made public. .
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock rejected the request during a visit to Warsaw in October, saying it was a closed chapter for Berlin.
Germany claims that Poland renounced war reparations in 1953 and has repeatedly reiterated this position.
Berlin has maintained the same arguments against claims for damages made by Greece in the past.
Conservatives who rule Poland question the validity of the 1953 agreement, claiming the country is under pressure from the Soviet Union.
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