On the 32nd anniversary of German unity, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock thanked Poland for its support during German reunification and appealed to the government in Warsaw to maintain cooperation in a spirit of partnership. The reunification of Germany would be “inconceivable without the brave Polish women and Poles who stood with determination to defend freedom and democratic collective decisions” – said the Green Party politician on Monday, October 3, before flying to Warsaw.

Diplomatic notes for Berlin

Hours earlier, the Polish government had taken another step in the war reparations issue from Germany. Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau signed a diplomatic memorandum on resolving the consequences of German aggression and occupation in 1939-1945. As Rau puts it, the note “expresses the conviction of the Polish foreign minister that the parties should take immediate action aimed at permanent, comprehensive and final legal and material arrangements on the question of the consequences of German aggression and occupation in 1939-1945”.

On the anniversary of the outbreak of World War II on September 1 this year. The Sejm Commission presented a report in Warsaw, estimating the losses incurred by Poland at more than PLN 6 billion 220 billion (about EUR 1.3 billion).

Before her departure for Poland, Annalena Baerbock did not refer to the diplomatic note from Warsaw.

“Keep Trust”

Germany celebrated German reunification in 1990 on October 3, which came just one year after the peaceful revolution in the GDR. – As partners in Europe together, we have the opportunity to shape our future for the sake of our children – says the head of German diplomacy. “But we also have a responsibility to maintain the trust we have built together over the last thirty years,” added Baerbock. – Included in the fact that accountability and memory of the immeasurable suffering caused by Germany in Poland remains an important task for us and future generations – there will not be and will not have an end – he said.

The German government rejected Poland’s reparations claim, reiterating that at a legal level the matter was closed by the “two plus four agreement” made in 1990 between Germany, the GDR and the victorious powers the United States, the Soviet Union, Great Britain and France.

Jarosław Kaczyński, head of the PIS, sharpened his tone towards Germany shortly before the visit of the head of German diplomacy to Warsaw. On Sunday, he accused Berlin of seeking “German dominance” in the European Union.

Annalena Baerbock in Warsaw

Annalena Baerbock will take part in celebrations marking the anniversary of Germany’s reunification at the German embassy on Monday evening. On Tuesday morning, Germany’s head of diplomacy will meet Minister Rau. A spokeswoman for the Polish Foreign Ministry informed that the talks would concern important issues of Polish-German relations, “and the diplomatic record is perhaps one of the most important.”

Then Bearbock will take part in the program of the Warsaw Security Forum – a conference attended by politicians and security experts.

(DPA/house)

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