The new German ambassador to Poland, Viktor Elbling, gave his first interview. In an interview with Rzeczpospolita he stated that regardless of the election results, Europe and Germany need a strong Poland. Regarding reparations, he said that from Germany’s point of view the question is closed. Responding to this, Poland’s Deputy Foreign Minister Arkadiusz Mularczyk stressed that Poland’s stance on the issue remains distinct.
Champagne corks in Berlin?
The diplomat was asked if champagne corks popped in Germany following Poland’s election results. Elbling noted that turnout was high and that Poland can rightly take pride in it.
He added that Germany still seeks to cooperate closely with its Polish friends to meet shared European challenges, and that this collaboration should continue regardless of the election outcome. Europe and Germany still need a strong Poland, he affirmed.
Asked whether Poland showed Germany how to defeat populism, Elbling described populism as a threat to democracy, noting that its supporters persist even during crises. The EU’s common goal, he said, is to curb this trend.
He recalled that Poland’s accession to the European Union, whose twentieth anniversary will be celebrated next year, was a fortunate development for Germany as well.
During the months he spent in Poland, Elbling observed a country that sees itself as part of Europe and desires to help shape Europe’s future.
Reparations? Case closed
The German envoy also addressed reparations for World War II. He affirmed that Germany bears political and moral responsibility for the crimes committed in Poland, but reiterated that from Germany’s point of view the matter is closed. He stressed Germany’s willingness to alleviate suffering through ongoing initiatives benefiting Polish victims, while also underscoring the importance of preserving memory of those losses. He added that dialogue with the new Polish government on possible measures in this area would continue. From Germany’s perspective, the issue of reparations is closed.
– said the German ambassador to Poland.
The deputy head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs responds
Arkadiusz Mularczyk, Poland’s deputy foreign minister, commented on the German ambassador’s statement in a post on Twitter. He noted that a similar call appeared in a Council of Ministers resolution from April 18, 2023, concerning the need to address reparations, compensation, and losses in Polish-German relations resulting from the war and occupation.
He added that he is not aware of any German action that would relieve the suffering of World War II veterans. Poland continues to call for dialogue on reparations, compensation, and the consequences of aggression and destruction endured during the war.
– Mularczyk emphasized on Twitter.
Viktor Elbling has served as the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Poland since September 2023, succeeding Thomas Bagger in this role.
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wkt/Twitter/X/RP.pl
Source: wPolityce