Scholz intends to announce compensation for Poles who survived Nazi crimes
Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz (photo: Getty Images)
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is expected to announce measures to enhance German-Polish relations during his visit to Warsaw on Tuesday, including compensation payments to surviving Polish victims of Nazi crimes, reports Politico.
"It is to be expected that the chancellor will announce that something will be done … for the people who suffered under German Nazi rule in Poland and who are still living and, for example, do not have adequate health insurance and experience poverty in old age'," said Paul Ziemiak, the secretary general of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU).
Additionally, it is anticipated that Scholz will announce support for the defense of Poland's eastern flank and the creation of a memorial in Berlin dedicated to Nazi crimes in occupied Poland.
According to a senior German official, security cooperation will be a key part of the discussions. These discussions come as both sides aim to strengthen their respective cross-border initiatives in air defense.
Scholz seeks to improve relations with Poland
The German Chancellor aims to improve relations with Poland following last year's appointment of Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
Relations between the countries sharply deteriorated under Poland's former government led by the right-wing populist Prawo i Sprawiedliwość (PiS).
Party leaders had demanded over 1 trillion euros in war reparations from Berlin. Germany rejected these demands, stating that the issue was closed under a series of post-war agreements.
While Poland's current government has backed away from reparations claims, Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski urged Germany to find a creative solution to compensate the Polish people for their suffering.
However, it is unlikely that Germany's anticipated announcement on Tuesday will quell demands for reparations. Polls indicate that a majority in Poland believe Germany should pay compensation, according to Politico.
Meanwhile, Germany plans to transfer air defense systems, missiles, and ammunition to Ukraine in the coming months to protect critical infrastructure.
