Poland asks UN to help secure World War II damages from Germany

WARSAW — Poland had asked for the intervention of the United Nations over World War II reparations from Germany, a Polish deputy foreign minister said on Tuesday.

"The United Nations system offers instruments for dialogue, as well as for introducing the international community to the scale of the damages caused by the German aggression and occupation during the war, and Poland intends to use them," Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Arkadiusz Mularczyk said during a news conference.

Later in the day, Mularczyk tweeted a photo of the letter addressed to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Germany's Foreign Ministry responded on Tuesday to the note regarding World War II reparations, stating that the "issue remains closed".

A spokesperson for the German Foreign Ministry said it had responded to a letter sent by Poland on the subject in October and did not comment on the contents of the diplomatic correspondence.

"According to the German government, the issue of reparations and compensation for wartime losses remains closed and it does not intend to enter into negotiations," the Polish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock had rejected the demand during a visit to Warsaw in October, saying the issue was a closed chapter for Berlin.

Poland estimates its World War II losses caused by Germany to be at 6.2 trillion zlotys ($1.4 trillion) and has demanded reparations, but Berlin has repeatedly said all financial claims related to the war have been settled.

"This answer, to sum it up, shows an absolutely disrespectful attitude toward Poland and Poles," Mularczyk told the Polish Press Agency.

"Germany does not pursue a friendly policy toward Poland, they want to build their sphere of influence here and treat Poland as a vassal state."

When asked about further dialogue with Germany regarding compensation, Mularczyk said it would continue "through international organizations".

Losses detailed

On Sept 1, the Polish government presented a report detailing the material losses suffered by Poland during World War II, along with a pledge to demand money from Germany in reparations.

Poland's Foreign Ministry then sent a diplomatic note to Germany on Oct 3, demanding compensation for the damage.

Szymon Szynkowski vel Sek, the Polish minister for European relations, said it is the government's "moral obligation" to pursue reparations, however the time needed for any results "is counted not in months but in years, maybe even in generations".

Poland is dealing with a cost of living and energy crisis, as well as high social policy spending. The country faces general elections in the fall.

Agencies - Xinhua