Ahead of Polish President Karol Nawrocki’s upcoming visit to Berlin, Paul Ziemiak, a prominent figure within the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), has reiterated the German government’s stance on Polish demands for reparations related to losses incurred during World War II. Speaking on the POLITICO Berlin Playbook podcast, Ziemiak, the head of the German-Polish parliamentary group, acknowledged the sensitivity of the issue while reaffirming the legal position.
He emphasized the need for a respectful dialogue, stating, “We should meet each other at eye level and take the Polish claims very seriously. But we also need to be clear in our position. We say that these matters are settled.
Ziemiak noted a degree of consternation in Warsaw stemming from ongoing debates in Germany concerning compensation for historical injustices, particularly those relating to the colonial era. This has led some in Poland to question the prioritization of historical claims, with the war reparations question appearing “settled” while discussions regarding earlier periods of German history continue.
He cautioned against reopening past grievances, highlighting the potential for unproductive conflict. “The mutual reckoning of suffering gets nobody anywhere. It will never lead to a final resolution. This discussion distracts from what we can achieve together in the future.
Despite the complexities surrounding historical claims, Ziemiak lauded the trajectory of German-Polish relations as “fantastic”. He underscored the importance of shared security interests, specifically praising Poland’s contribution to German security. “We know the contribution that Poland makes to German security” he stated. He further added that coordinated investment in security is crucial and that Germany is prepared to fulfill its commitment to that effort.