Minister of State Grütters issued the following statement regarding the signing of a joint declaration with Stuart Eizenstat, Special Adviser for Holocaust Issues at the State Department, and Thomas Yazdgerdi, United States Special Envoy for Holocaust Issues: Twenty years ago, at the initiative of the United States, the Washington Conference was held, at which Germany, the US and 42 other states agreed to conduct research into cultural objects seized as a result of Nazi persecution and to find just and fair solutions. Investigating art theft by the Nazis is a lasting obligation – especially for Germany. Twenty years later, we will not cease to live up to this responsibility.

Germany’s foreign policy is conducted in awareness of the historical responsibility for the unprecedented crimes of National Socialism. It is particularly important to Germany to promote awareness of the Holocaust and to learn lessons from this for our sake and for the sake of future generations. Great efforts are being undertaken in this area, especially in the field of education, which are being supplemented by the new programme entitled „Jugend erinnert“ (Young people remember). Providing compensation for the injustices suffered under the National Socialist regime continues to be an important issue for the Federal Government. Twenty years after the Washington Conference, investigations into Nazi art theft are still ongoing.

We will use this conference to initiate further measures to facilitate fair and just solutions for the benefit of the victims and their families. Our joint declaration is an expression of our determination and our will to make further progress possible. We thereby acknowledge what has been achieved so far and reaffirm our resolve to continue to shed light on Nazi art theft.