In a sense, it was the Greek side that inspired us to demand reparations from Germany, which we did recently, Deputy Foreign Minister and Government Plenipotentiary for Compensation Arkadiusz Mularczyk, who visited Athens on Wednesday, said in an interview with PAP.
The purpose of my visit was to present to the Greek side the basis of our claims against Germany
Mularczyk said.
Greek experiences
Greece notices that Poland is asking for reparations. All my interlocutors, experienced politicians, listened with interest to the information about our efforts
– added.
The politician admitted that the Greek experience was of great importance in Poland’s preparations to start the process of claiming compensation for losses from World War II.
About five years ago, I came to Greece as a Member of Parliament for consultation. I then met with the head of the committee dealing with the issue of reparations in the Greek Parliament
– recalls Mularczyk in an interview with PAP.
I then received a report on Greek war losses and we decided that Poland would also prepare a similar report
– added the Deputy Minister.
In September 2022, the “Report on Losses suffered by Poland due to German Aggression and Occupation during the Second World War 1939-1945” was published, which Deputy Minister Mularczyk handed over to the Greek side.
He also informed the Greeks that a request for resolutions had been submitted to the Bureau of the Council of Europe.
We want the issue of asymmetry in the receipt of compensation payments by citizens of different countries and the lack of a judicial route for World War II victims to be explored. The question is whether there is discrimination when nationals of some countries receive compensatory benefits and nationals of other countries do not
Mularczyk said.
The politician noted that someone who does not know history well may be surprised by the magnitude of the Greek losses during the war.
The memory of these events is widespread in Greece. Many politicians and citizens are convinced that Germany should pay compensation to their country
said the Polish deputy minister.
At the same time, he noted that there is scope for future cooperation in this area, both diplomatically and educationally.
It is not only about involving the countries that Germany suffered during World War II, but also raising awareness in those countries that have no knowledge of the effects and consequences of the war
observed Mularczyk.
For example, the vast majority of my interlocutors did not know that Poland had not received reparations, that it had suffered damage
– added.
In the context of the war in Ukraine, when there is so much talk about Russia’s responsibility for war crimes and reparations, the topic of compensation from Germany fits into this narrative, the politician stressed.
Today it is much easier for the international community to imagine the consequences of the war and the post-war Soviet occupation
– added.
According to Mularczyk, given the rapid flow of information in today’s world, the pressure on Germany could pay off within a few years.
During his visit to Athens, the Deputy Minister met, among others, former Greek Prime Minister Jorgos Papandreou, former President Prokopis Pawlopoulos and Deputy Foreign Minister Militiadis Varvitsiotis.
The Greek government asked Germany in 2019 to negotiate reparations for damage and losses in World War I and World War II. A parliamentary committee of experts estimated the damage Germany inflicted on Greece during World War II at 289 billion euros. The German government rejects the related demands.
Poland is demanding PLN 6.22 billion reparations from Germany for World War II losses.
Conversations in Italy
Arkadiusz Mularczyk, deputy foreign minister and government plenipotentiary for compensation, will begin a two-day visit to Rome today. He will hold talks with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and parliament representatives.
In a communiqué to PAP, the Polish embassy announced that Arkadiusz Mularczyk will meet Italian Deputy Foreign Minister Edmondo Cirielli, and that their talks will cover the current bilateral agenda and topics related to international issues, including the war in Ukraine and the EU enlargement process.
The Polish deputy minister will also hold talks in parliament, including with Stefania Craxi, chair of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee in the Senate, as well as Giangiacomo Calovini, head of the circle of deputies of the Italian Brothers’ Party in Foreign Affairs. and the Community Affairs Committee in the House of Representatives.
READ ALSO:
— Mularczyk: We count on US pressure on Germany to make reparations to Poland. “If there is pressure from the Polish community, it will bring results”
– An important step in reparations! Mularczyk: We want a resolution from the European Council on the payment of reparations by Germany for World War II
— The Greeks demand 289 billion euros from Germany as reparations for WWII. “There is a burden from the past that will not go away through unilateral actions”
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Source: wPolityce
Emma Matthew is a political analyst for “Social Bites”. With a keen understanding of the inner workings of government and a passion for politics, she provides insightful and informative coverage of the latest political developments.