Steinmeier on Holocaust Era Assets Conference

Jul 1, 2009

The five-day Holocaust Era Assets Conference ended on June 30 in Prague with the adoption of the "Terezin Declaration" and a ceremony in the former Terezin ghetto.

Commenting on this, Federal Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier issued the following statement in Berlin:

Foreign Minister Steinmeier ©Thomas Imo/photothek.net
Enlarge image
Foreign Minister Steinmeier
(© Thomas Imo/photothek.net)

"The Prague Conference shows that we are aware of our special responsibility for dealing with Nazi injustice and the consequences of the Holocaust. During the Conference it again became clear that the substantial compensation payments made by Germany are internationally recognized.

It is becoming more and more important to keep alive the memory of the Holocaust as a warning for the future. The discussions in Prague point in the right direction, stressing the importance of information and education: the Holocaust must be addressed in schools, universities and research. Again, we will not slacken in our efforts to this end."

A total of 46 states participated in the Holocaust Era Assets Conference in Prague from 26 to 30 June. The follow-up conference to the 1998 Washington Conference discussed not only restitution issues, but also the social situation of Holocaust survivors and Holocaust education and remembrance. The results of the Conference are reflected in the "Terezin Declaration", which was approved by all participants.

© Federal Foreign Office

Prague Conference

Holocaust Memmorial, Berlin, (c) picture-alliance/Paul Mayall

Remembrance Culture

Logo "Task Force for International Cooperation on Holocaust Education, Remembrance und Research" (c) www.holocausttaskforce.org

Kathrin Meyer is working for the "Task Force for International Cooperation on Holocaust Education, Remembrance und Research" (ITF) in Berlin. In an interview she talked about remembrance culture, academic research and remembrance initiatives.