Germany has handed over several cultural artifacts to Poland that were looted during the Nazi occupation during World War II. The transfer took place within the framework of the German-Polish Forum in Berlin, Tagesschau reports, according to UNN.
Details
Among the returned valuables are a 14th-century manuscript on parchment, a 16th-century gold ring with a diamond, and eleven miniature railway models from the collection of the Warsaw Museum of Transport.
German Minister of Culture Wolfram Weimer called the transfer of the artifacts an “important gesture of recognition of historical injustice.”
In turn, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul stated that the return of cultural property is a manifestation of mutual respect and evidence of Germany’s responsibility for the crimes of the past.
Cooperation between the countries
The transfer took place on the 35th anniversary of the signing of the 1991 German-Polish Treaty on Good Neighborliness. The German government also expressed its readiness to consider new Polish restitution requests and to continue the search for artworks looted by the Nazis.
In addition, on the occasion of the anniversary, Germany and Poland will provide 30,000 free Interrail passes to young people to promote youth exchanges between the two countries.