I am deeply saddened to hear of the death of Władysław Bartoszewski. His eventful and full life reflects the horror of the 20th century as much as it does the joy of the regained freedom and self‑determination of his beloved home country, Poland.

Władysław Bartoszewski experienced incredible suffering, from the Warsaw ghetto uprising to the horror of Auschwitz and the yoke of communism in Poland. It never reduced him to despair, rather it strengthened his belief in the idea of a free and democratic Poland at the heart of Europe.

With Władysław Bartoszewski’s death we have lost both a great European and a great freedom fighter. His commitment to German-Polish reconciliation and amicable relations between the two countries will never be forgotten.