During a New Year’s meeting with the Diplomatic Corps, the President referred to the issue of war reparations. More than 80 years after the end of the Second World War, Germany’s reparations debt has not been paid to Poland, he said. He added that responsibility does not expire. “I am extending a hand for cooperation, hoping for this approach to be reciprocated,” he declared.
“It is crucial that Poland uses the production capacity of its defence industry and continues to purchase state–of–the–art equipment from trusted allies such as the United States of America and the Republic of Korea,”
President Karol Nawrocki said during the New Year’s meeting with the heads of diplomatic missions accredited in Poland.
“Next month, four years will have passed since Russia’s full–scale attack on Ukraine. Our historical experience proves that it does not matter, as I keep reaffirming, it does not matter whether Russia is Tsarist, White or Red. Its goal is always a desire to conquer. That is why I have supported, and will continue to support, efforts that can lead to lasting and just peace, ensuring security for Europe,”
President Nawrocki emphasized.
The President noted that Poland has also been affected by Russian aggression in the form of cyberattacks, drone incursions, artificial migratory pressure, and disinformation. As a result, he stressed, Poland is expanding its own armed forces and their defensive capabilities, and “by protecting Poland, we are also protecting Europe and fulfilling our commitments as an ally.”
Nawrocki underlined that he will continue to support measures aimed at modernising the Polish armed forces, and that it is important for Poland to draw on the production capacity of its own defence industry while “continuing to to purchase state–of–the–art equipment from trusted allies such as the United States of America and the Republic of Korea.”
In his address, the President also spoke about the European Union, comparing it to a fading star. He nevertheless stressed that he would like to avoid such a scenario. He criticised, among other things, the agreement with the Mercosur countries, the Green Deal, centralising tendencies, and migration policy.
“I believe that Poland should lead the reformist camp of the European Union. This camp should be open to all those countries that do not agree with the continuation of existing policies, but do not want to be considered opponents of the idea of a united Europe,”
President Nawrocki said.
President stressed that he cares about “European integration, but it must be based on sound principles,” and that he wants “a strong Poland within a healthy European Union.”
“I will encourage the Government of the Republic of Poland with the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and all Cabinet Ministers, to take this approach,”
the President said.
Karol Nawrocki also returned to the issue of war reparations.
“In addition to legal responsibility, there are also moral, political and financial responsibilities that are not subject to a statute of limitations. Over eighty years have passed since the end of World War II, yet Germany’s reparations debt to Poland remains unpaid. I extend my hand in cooperation, hoping that this approach will be reciprocated,”
the President said.
The President recalled that during last year’s visit to Berlin, he had presented specific proposals regarding reparations.
“Germany’s increasing defence expenditure could be used to purchase cutting–edge equipment, including American equipment, for transfer to Poland. As a key state on NATO’s eastern flank, my country stabilises the security of the region, including that of Germany. This solution would represent a significant advancement in historical dialogue and enhance the security of the entire European continent. In this way, we would use the compensation for Poland’s sacrifices and losses during World War II to benefit our security,”
Nawrocki said.