Thomas Bagger presented his credentials to Poland’s President Andrzej Duda on Wednesday, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
Afterwards, the new German envoy took to Twitter to publish a video message to the Polish people.
‘Germany hasn’t always been a good neighbour for Poland’
Bagger said: “I am pleased that in the coming years, I will be able to represent Germany in Poland.”
He added: “Poland is our NATO ally, our close partner in the European Union, but above all our neighbour.”
He went on to state: “Without a doubt, Germany hasn't always been a good neighbour for Poland.
"I believe it is my task and duty to keep the memory alive of the dark chapters in our history, when Germany brought death and terrible suffering to this country.
“This memory should act as a constant warning as we work towards a better future and good neighbourly relations between German and Polish people."
‘We want to be good neighbours in a united and strong Europe’
Bagger also said that he would look to further develop Polish-German relations.
He stated: “Russia’s barbaric war against Ukraine underscores the importance of solidarity and community. We want to be good neighbours in a united and strong Europe, a Europe that is free and capable of defending itself.”
'Poland is an inspiration for many people'
Bagger said that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was “a turning point” for Germany, one that “creates an opportunity for even closer and more intensive cooperation between Germany and Poland.”
He added: “I have deep respect for Polish society. The way Polish people have opened their homes to Ukrainian refugees is a magnificent example of their humanity.”
The new ambassador concluded: “Just as the Solidarity movement became a worldwide symbol of a desire and struggle for freedom in the 1980s, so too today Poland is an inspiration for many people, including in Germany.”
Bagger replaces Arndt Freytag von Loringhoven, who had served as Germany’s envoy in Warsaw since September 2020, the PAP news agency reported.
(pm/gs)
Source: PAP, rmf24.pl