German President in Warsaw
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier was on Tuesday set to start a two-day visit to Poland for talks on relations between the two neighbouring nations.
Steinmeier’s itinerary in Warsaw includes a meeting and dinner with Polish President Andrzej Duda, according to public broadcaster Polish Radio’s IAR news agency.
While in the Polish capital, Steinmeier is also scheduled to attend a conference on Polish-German partnership within the European Union, according to IAR.
The conference will be held at Warsaw’s Royal Castle as part of observances of this year’s 100th anniversary of Poland regaining independence.
Steinmeier is also expected to place a wreath at a monument in the Polish capital honouring the heroes of the 1944 Warsaw Uprising against the Nazi Germans, IAR reported.
In another official function, Steinmeier is on Wednesday expected to honour the heroes of the 1943 Warsaw Ghetto Uprising and visit the Polish capital’s Museum of the History of Polish Jews, according to IAR.
Before leaving Warsaw, Steinmeier is due to plant a tree in Warsaw’s Skaryszewski Park at a site symbolising Polish-German reconciliation.
Germany’s Foreign Minister Heiko Maas and Chancellor Angela Merkel made separate visits to Warsaw in March.
‘Close partnership’ despite differences
Maas said ahead of his trip to the Polish capital that he wanted “close partnership” with Poland, despite differences between the two neighbouring countries.
Differences causing tensions between Warsaw and Berlin in recent months include the issue of possible reparations for Poland from Germany for World War II.
Another bone of contention is the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline being built between Russia and Germany under the Baltic Sea. It will bypass Poland, Ukraine and other countries in the region.
Poland’s ruling conservatives were also vocal in criticising Merkel’s open-door policy to refugees during her previous term in office.
courtesy : thenews.pl
photo : The Independent
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