“The new position increases my ability to request repairs. It is subordinate to the Council of Ministers, and at the same time it is influenced by the entire Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through embassies, consulates, cultural institutions and diplomats. I am counting on good cooperation both with all my colleagues in the ministry and with the diplomats scattered all over the world. This is a question that must be settled in our relations with Germany. I am convinced that when this happens, our relations will be healed and will become a partnership,” said Arkadiusz Mularczyk, State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Government Plenipotentiary for Reparation of Damages Caused by Aggression and German occupation in 1939-1945, tells the portal wPolityce.pl.
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Arkadiusz Mularczyk, Deputy Head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Government Plenipotentiary for Compensation
This week, Deputy for Law and Justice Arkadiusz Mularczyk became State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as Government Plenipotentiary for Compensation for Damages Caused by German Aggression and Occupation in 1939-1945 .
During the Sejm’s previous term, Mularczyk led the parliamentary team tasked with estimating the amount of compensation owed to Poland by Germany for damage caused during World War II. The three-volume report, the result of the work of experts, was presented on September 1 this year and became the basis of Polish efforts to obtain war reparations.
Government spokesman Piotr Müller announced today that the new deputy head of the Foreign Office has met Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki to discuss the tasks entrusted to him.
“We will not wait for an answer and do nothing.”
The wPolityce.pl portal asked Arkadiusz Mularczyk whether the new position would increase his opportunities in Poland’s war reparations efforts.
The Council of Ministers entrusted me with the mission of compensation plenipotentiary. My functions are described in the regulations of the Council of Ministers and I will have to put into practice all the provisions contained therein, for the use
– points out our interlocutor.
We have weeks and months of intensive work ahead of us. As I said a few days ago at the press conference, we will absolutely not expect a response to our note. We undertake very intensive activities at several levels: diplomatic, political, information, in international organizations
– said Arkadiusz Mularczyk.
The new position increases my possibilities. It is subordinate to the Council of Ministers and, at the same time, it is influenced by the entire Ministry of Foreign Affairs, embassies, consulates, cultural institutions and diplomats. I am counting on good cooperation both with all my colleagues in the ministry and with the diplomats scattered around the world. This is a question that must be settled in our relations with Germany. I am confident that when this happens our relationship will be cleansed and become a partnership relationship
– he adds.
“Let’s give Germany time”
However, Germany still maintains that the issue of reparations is closed. Will it be possible to convince our western neighbor to change its position?
So far there is no decision by the Chancellor, because it is the Chancellor who decides on these matters, not the spokesperson for the German Foreign Office, of course with all due respect to the spokesperson
– emphasizes the new deputy head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Let’s give the Germans more time, let’s wait. We, on the other hand, regardless of whether Germany is still thinking, will act and inform you about other initiatives. Certainly, all diplomacy will be involved in this affair
– he adds.
Many commentators have pointed out that seeking compensation for Poland’s losses in World War II is a task that will take many years, if not decades.
Do we really have a chance of getting compensation from the Federal Republic of Germany?
I assess our chances very positively. In today’s world, information travels very quickly around the world. It’s not the 40s, 50s, 60s or 70s.. We have the internet, social media, information is available anywhere in the world in a second
– points out our interlocutor.
I believe it is not in Berlin’s interest to inform the whole world that Germany has such a large debt to Poland and that it does not believe it will be settled. In this way, they violate the elementary principles of the European rule of law, of international law, violate the European Convention on Human Rights, because the Polish war victims have never had the right to a trial, were not treated equally and Germany applied double standards to the victims.
– adds Arkadiusz Mularczyk.
I think it is only a matter of time before this is properly interpreted and understood by our partners abroad, international organizations
– highlighted.
I am convinced that we will certainly have great support on this file. It is a question of the ability to explain, to convince international opinion
– evaluates the politician.
“Every country can be our ally”
At least from the moment the report was presented in the public debate, the names of specific countries that could support the Polish government in its efforts to obtain reparations were mentioned. Where could we look for allies?
All countries are important because when we talk about rule of law standards, we strive to raise them both in Europe and globally. It is obvious to any country that the aggressor who started the war must pay. He can’t hide behind some political evasions
– said Arkadiusz Mularczyk.
Absolutely every country can be our ally, whether it is to claim the right to compensation, reparation or to enforce the standards of the rule of law and the rule of law from Germany.
– emphasizes the new Deputy Foreign Minister.
