“German-Polish relations are truly a central cornerstone of our entire foreign policy,” deputy government spokesman Steffen Meyer said in Berlin on Monday. He added that direct exchange with Nawrocki is very important to the German government.

Meyer said it is of utmost importance that the neighbouring countries also work closely together on security policy issues. Russia is the greatest threat to both countries, he said, and Polish security is also German security.

“Any strengthening of Poland’s security is therefore also a strengthening of Germany’s security,” Meyer added.

The Polish president is to be welcomed with military honours by President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in front of Bellevue Palace in central Berlin on Tuesday morning. This will be followed by a lengthy session of talks.

Later, Nawrocki will be received by Chancellor Friedrich Merz. No press conference is planned after either meeting.

A Polish government spokesman said Nawrocki also intends to raise Poland’s demand for compensation from Germany for the massive damage caused during World War II in his talks with Steinmeier.

Germany rejects such demands for reparations. From the German government’s point of view, the reparations issue has already been legally settled, and Steinmeier has repeatedly reaffirmed this position.

Three years ago, a parliamentary commission set up on the initiative of Poland’s right-wing conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party estimated the amount of reparations at €1.3 trillion ($1.5 trillion).

dpa