The German daily “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung”, in the comments of one journalist, returned to the issue of war compensation made by Poland for the losses suffered as a result of World War II. Reinhard Mueller begins his text by referring to the famous letter of the Polish bishops from 1965 to his German counterparts, in which the phrase “we forgive and ask for forgiveness” is mentioned. Journalists were moved by these words.

Polish criticism of war reparations. Famous words of Polish bishops are remembered

The commentary’s author explains that that is the opinion of the Church, not a state gesture, but that it shows that “even then some were much further away from today’s Polish and Seym governments”. The “FAZ” stressed that “while it is correct to call it a mistake, turning it into a monetary claim is debatable and threatens European cohesion”.

According to German commentators, Polish demands for reparations were understandable in the 1950s, 1960s and even 1980s, and are now “absolutely humiliating”. The daily recalled that the issue of reparations was ended by an agreement signed in 1990 by two plus four. “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung” suggests that the Polish and German governments have finally resolved the “property problem”. He added that our country has the right to go to court, but “it won’t work”.

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The journalist stated that “reiterating the claims against friendly neighbors from Europe, which have been rejected in the context of the clarified legal situation, is more than hostile”. The author of the commentary is outraged when this situation is compared to the Russian invasion of Ukraine by Vladimir Putin.

“FAZ” reminded that Germany had repeatedly tried to compensate Poland and, often ignored, lost a quarter of its territory. In addition, about 12 million people were killed or driven from their homeland. The authors of the comments conclude that Poland receives billions of euros from Germany under the European Union. He admits it’s true to talk about “stolen development opportunities, but in that case the claims would be global.”

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