Poland pushing for WWII compensation from Germany

By Ahmet Gencturk

ANKARA (AA) – Poland is pushing for World War II compensation from Germany.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Deputy Foreign Minister Arkadiusz Mularczy said: “We believe there is scope for discussion, for examining these historical and political issues that influence the life of our country today.”

He added that the politicians in Washington showed a noteworthy interest in the matter and the report by Warsaw on the damage by German occupation in 1939-1945.

Mularczyk said: “Many Congressmen were surprised that Germany had never paid war reparations to Poland ... Here in the United States, where property rights are so strong … many Congressmen were shocked that Germany had robbed Poland and hadn’t paid compensation to this day.

“And so it was a cognitive shock and I see scope for cooperation here because Germany’s conduct is incompatible with the standards of the rule of law and the protection of human rights,” he added.

According to the deputy minister, around a dozen US politicians from two main parties, the Democratic Party and the Republican Party, and Acting Assistant Secretary at the US State Department Dereck Hogan are among those who met him.

Last September, Warsaw presented a comprehensive report detailing the material losses suffered by the country during the war along with a pledge to demand €1.3 trillion ($1.43 trillion) from Germany in reparations.​​​​​​​

The Polish Foreign Ministry said earlier this month that Germany has rejected the country’s demand for reparations, adding that Warsaw will continue its efforts to settle debts resulting from Nazi German aggression and occupation in 1939-1945.