Germany's Steinmeier concludes state visit to Spain in the Basque Country

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, together with his wife Elke Bdenbender, is concluding a three-day official visit to Spain with a journey to the Basque region on Friday. They are set to visit Guernica, known in Basque as Gernika, to honor those who lost their lives during the German bombing on April 26, 1937.

During the Spanish Civil War, the German Condor Legion carried out an aerial attack on the town, resulting in the destruction of approximately three-quarters of its buildings. Estimates of casualties range from 300 to 1,500, marking it as the first large-scale bombing targeting civilians in a European town.

The tragic event inspired Pablo Picasso's renowned artwork "Guernica," which Steinmeier and Bdenbender observed during their initial day in Madrid. At the state banquet on Wednesday evening, Steinmeier remarked that "Germans committed terrible crimes in Guernica," emphasizing the importance of remembering history as a call to uphold peace, freedom, and human rights. He added, "Remembrance and reconciliation pave the path to the future."

Spain's King Felipe VI described the visit as a "gesture of great symbolic significance and reconciliation" and plans to join Steinmeier on the trip to the Basque region. Steinmeier's office stated that the visit highlights the strong bilateral relationship and demonstrates close solidarity between the two pro-European nations.

Frank-Walter Steinmeier is the first German president to conduct a state visit to Spain since Johannes Rau in 2002.

Author's Commentary: A Step Toward Historical Reconciliation

The visit of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to Guernica underscores the ongoing importance of confronting historical atrocities. By honoring the victims of the 1937 bombing, Steinmeier demonstrates Germany's commitment to acknowledging past crimes and fostering reconciliation with Spain.

This visit carries both symbolic and diplomatic weight. It is not only a remembrance of civilian suffering during the Spanish Civil War but also a reinforcement of contemporary German-Spanish relations. The presence of King Felipe VI alongside Steinmeier further highlights the significance of this gesture.

Steinmeier's emphasis on "remembrance and reconciliation" aligns with broader European efforts to confront historical conflicts transparently. The visit reflects a shared commitment to peace, human rights, and the lessons history provides for shaping future cooperation between nations.

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• Germany's Steinmeier ends state visit to Spain in Basque Country