German foreign minister honors Nazi victims at Auschwitz

German foreign minister honors Nazi victims at Auschwitz

WARSAW, Poland (AP) – German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas has visited the former German death camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau, a gesture that he said is meant to “keep alive the memory of the incredible atrocities.”

Maas’ visit to southern Poland on Monday also includes a meeting with his Polish counterpart Jacek Czaputowicz aimed at strengthening bilateral ties.

The two countries are neighbors, allies and important trading partners. There have been some strains, however, as Polish officials have said Germany owes Poland up to $850 billion in reparations for World War II.

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas bows in front of the Death Wall, after laying a wreath in the former German Nazi Death Camp Auschwitz Birkenau in Oswiecim, Poland, Monday, Aug. 20, 2018. (AP Photo/Jarek Praszkiewicz)

Berlin is also unhappy about changes by the ruling Polish party Law and Justice to Poland’s judicial system which the European Union and others say erode judicial independence. The Polish government says it is reforming a corrupt and inefficient system.

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas visits the former German Nazi Death Camp Auschwitz Birkenau in Oswiecim, Poland, Monday, Aug. 20, 2018. (AP Photo/Jarek Praszkiewicz)

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas visits the former German Nazi Death Camp Auschwitz Birkenau in Oswiecim, Poland, Monday, Aug. 20, 2018. (AP Photo/Jarek Praszkiewicz)

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