Germany rejects Polish World War II reparations request

By Ahmet Gencturk

ANKARA (AA) – Germany has rejected Poland’s demand for reparations to compensate for the material losses the country suffered during World War II, Polish media reported.

"According to the German Government, the matter of reparations and compensation for war losses remains closed, and the German Government does not intend to enter into negotiations on this matter," the German Foreign Ministry said in a note delivered to the Polish Foreign Ministry, state-run news agency PAP reported late Tuesday.

The Polish ministry, however, reiterated that Warsaw will continue its efforts to settle debts resulting from German aggression and occupation in 1939-1945, the agency said.

Speaking to the agency, Arkadiusz Mularczyk, a deputy foreign minister who earlier headed a government team that compiled a report on Poland's wartime losses, underscored that the German response to the note on compensation "shows a disrespectful attitude towards Poland and Poles."

"We will continue actions regarding compensation, and dialogue with Germany will be conducted through international organizations," he said.

Similarly, Minister for the EU Szymon Szynkowski vel Sek told private Radio Zet that he was not surprised by the news, according to the PAP.

"The position of the German government has been known for a long time, but this certainly does not end the matter. The German government considers this matter closed and our position on this matter is completely different," he said.

Last September, the Polish government presented a comprehensive report detailing the material losses suffered by the country during the war along with a pledge to demand €1.3 trillion ($1.37 trillion) from Germany in reparations.​​​​​​​