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Polish deputy FM to discuss WWII compensation from Germany on US trip

04.01.2023 15:00
A Polish deputy foreign minister is set to discuss WWII damages from Germany during a planned visit to the United States, where he will meet with congressmen, senators and members of Polish communities.
Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Arkadiusz Mularczyk.
Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Arkadiusz Mularczyk.PAP/Radek Pietruszka

In an interview with Polish state news agency PAP on Wednesday, Arkadiusz Mularczyk said that the planned visit would likely take place in late January or early February.

On Tuesday, Mularczyk told reporters that Berlin responded in a "disrespectful" way to a diplomatic note that the Polish foreign ministry sent in October regarding compensation for Polish losses suffered as a result of German aggression and occupation during World War II.

According to the German government, the issue of reparations and compensation for World War II losses “remains closed” and Berlin does not intend to enter into negotiations on the matter, officials have said.    

Mularczyk told the PAP news agency on Wednesday that he was “preparing for a visit to the US."

He said: "I intend to visit the US Congress and meet with congressmen, as well as with senators ... Our ambassador Marek Magierowski is preparing a list of meetings."

He added he hoped that "Poland's efforts will find support among congressmen, senators, politicians, the American public and the Polish community in the US ... I think that today absolutely American support is very important, crucial."

In December, Poland "extended an invitation for talks" on the issue, along with a report on war losses, to UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, according to officials.

Mularczyk added that the invitation would be "repeated after the New Year period.”

On September 1, Poland's government announced that the losses suffered by the country at the hands of Nazi Germany during World War II totalled PLN 6.22 trillion (EUR 1.3 trillion) and that it would demand compensation from Berlin.

On October 3, Polish Foreign Minister Zbgniew Rau signed a formal note to the government in Berlin, demanding compensation for losses Poland sustained during the war.

(jh/gs)

Source: PAP