In Germany, there is growing acknowledgment that the issue cannot be ignored and that waiting for autumn elections would be unproductive. The matter is widening beyond Poland to an international audience, according to Deputy Foreign Minister Arkadiusz Mularczyk speaking to Polish Press Agency (PAP).
At the National Congress of Remembrance, Mularczyk, the Deputy Head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, joined a panel titled “War Reparation in the 20th Century Through the Eyes of Politicians.”
He noted that diplomatic and political efforts continue with the aim of raising awareness within international organizations about Germany’s non-binding liability for damages caused by World War II.
Awareness Policy
Several meetings are planned with committees in the United States Congress, the Senate, the United Nations, and the Council of Europe. There are also plans for further actions in Germany, particularly in Berlin. A resolution from the Council of Ministers is hoped for soon, underlining that the issue of war damages and reparations has never been resolved in Polish–German relations, and that Poland has not relinquished its claims.
The Deputy Foreign Minister emphasized that these steps would underpin subsequent legal, political, and diplomatic actions in this field.
He highlighted the importance of the May 10 session of the Constitutional Court on immunity from jurisdiction, arguing that it challenges attempts to shield Germany from Polish war victims’ claims under the Polish Constitution, as it touches on the right to a court and human dignity.
He recalled ongoing talks with representatives of the German government and expressed a belief that the German side is increasingly recognizing that the issue cannot be brushed aside and that waiting for political cycles will not help. The matter, he said, is spreading beyond Poland to a global audience.
Mularczyk remained convinced that if the Polish Government and State act consistently, talks with German counterparts will eventually take place.
He concluded by noting that the National Remembrance Congress would take place on April 13–15 at PGE Narodowy in Warsaw under the banner “History speaks through generations.” Historians from Poland and abroad would participate in 26 panels focusing on Poland’s 20th-century history, with participants including renowned academics and public figures, and with the involvement of descendants and related professionals. The Institute of National Remembrance would host educational and cultural activities, a film festival, a technology zone, and multimedia exhibitions, along with educational spaces for children and reenactment groups.
Germany’s Silence
During the National Memorial Congress, Mularczyk and Deputy Culture Minister Jarosław Sellin took part in a panel on 20th-century war reparations through the eyes of politicians. In his presentation, Mularczyk described a report on Polish war losses as conservative, even minimalist, and argued that this is a moment to break the long silence and end the neglect of the issue.
He pointed out that Germany has attempted to push the reparations topic off the international agenda. Today, Germany engages with African nations over colonial-era apologies, a move widely seen as correct but contrasted with Poland’s ongoing pursuit of reparations from Germany as a neighboring and economically integral partner.
The deputy head of the Foreign Ministry added that the Polish report on losses is being distributed in English, with translations into German, Spanish, Italian, and other languages in preparation. The aim is to inform the world about German war crimes and to press for accountability. The goal is to usher in a turning point in German discussions and to revisit World War II history, according to Mularczyk.
He argued that Germany has erased its historical memory and shown little willingness to revisit the case, with some parties viewing it as closed. Nevertheless, he contended that the matter is moving through international forums, and discussions with Greek representatives are also underway. A broader coalition is being built, with scientific and expert events planned to support future action, as stated by Mularczyk.
He asserted that the central task is to persuade the Germans to reconsider their history, while close attention is paid to a potential Council of Ministers resolution. German authorities were urged to present documents proving any Polish waiver of reparations, noting that such documents are difficult to locate. A favorable Constitutional Court ruling could inject new momentum into the case, akin to situations seen in Italy.
He warned that a reluctance to begin talks signals a breach of international law on redress and victims’ right to a court. The process of educating Germany about the history of World War II remains a priority as ecumenical, demographic, and economic consequences continue to affect Poland.
Restitution of Cultural Property
On the cultural heritage front, Secretary of State for Culture Jarosław Sellin discussed the return of cultural properties. He stressed that reparations and restitutions for cultural works are distinct processes governed by different laws, even though both aim to recover such works and have produced tangible effects over many years.
Sellin stressed that reparations are a separate issue that Germany should resolve. He noted that the restitution of artworks can involve reclaiming items from the present territory of the Republic of Poland. He described the complexities of tracing works looted by German campaigns, Soviet trophy brigades, and secondary art trades. He explained that many works recovered recently originated from Germany, while some demanded restitution from Russia but are not being processed. The prospect of recovering items from Polish territories depends on future political developments in Russia.
Sellin remarked that the process of returning goods has accelerated in the past seven years, but it remains a multi-generational effort. The Institute of National Remembrance also continues to organize educational and cultural events, including a film festival, a technology zone, multimedia exhibitions, and activities for children, along with reenactment groups.
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Source: wPolityce