Greece reminds Germany of its demand for Second World War reparations

ATHENS

The Greek president on Wednesday reiterated her country’s demand for reparations from Germany due to the damage suffered in World War II, local media reported.

During a meeting in Athens with visiting German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou said: "Based on the Greek Parliament's 2019 decision, I would like to stress the importance of unpaid war reparations and the occupation loan for the Greek people."

Expressing satisfaction with the cooperation between Greece and Germany in the fields of economy, trade, education, and culture, Sakellaropoulou said the open wounds of the past need to be discussed openly, adding: "Healing these wounds will further strengthen our bilateral relations in the future."

The German president responded: "Our legal view on the reparations issue differs.”

“We believe this matter is legally closed. However, we remain committed to our historical responsibility," he stressed.

As part of his visit to Athens, Steinmeier also met with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

The two leaders discussed international developments, the future outlook of bilateral relations, and possibilities for cooperation between Athens and Berlin.

On Tuesday, Steinmeier visited the still-under-construction Holocaust Museum in Thessaloniki with Sakellaropoulou.

He is also expected to visit the village of Kandanos on the island of Crete on Thursday, which suffered significant losses during the German occupation in Second World War.

Reparations debate

A report by a Greek parliamentary committee established to assess the losses and fatalities during the Nazi occupation was completed in 2016 and published in October 2018.

According to the document, Greece is seeking approximately €300 billion (nearly $326 billion) from Germany as compensation for the deceased, material damages, and the interest-free occupation loan that the Nazi regime forcibly took from the Central Bank.

Additionally, historical artifacts taken during the occupation are also requested to be returned.

Berlin, however, claims it made a payment of 115 million DEM (over $63 million) in 1960 and refuses to pay additional reparations for a war that ended more than 75 years ago.

In April 2019, the Greek Parliament approved a resolution demanding war reparations from Germany.

Before the vote in the Greek Parliament, then German government spokesperson Steffen Seibert stated that Germany’s stance on the issue had not changed and that the matter was legally and politically closed.

*Writing by Merve Berker