ATHENS
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said Tuesday that Germany should pay war reparations for the period in which the Nazi government occupied his country.
Tsipras claimed that, according to the London Debt Agreement of 1953, Germany should pay the war reparations
"Political and legal conditions were created for this issue to be solved after the reunification of Germany, but German government choose to avoid solving problem, silence and legal tricks," he said in a speech in the Greek parliament.
"Is this behavior moral?" he asked.
The prime minister said that Greece approached this issue with sincerity and responsibility and expects the same from the German government.
Greece was occupied by the Nazi government in Germany for four years.
Tsipras claimed that Germany owed around €162 billion ($236 billion), due to crimes committed during the occupation, in which thousands of Greeks were killed or starved to death.
Germany has previously rejected Greece's demands for WWII reparations.
German vice-chancellor Sigmar Gabriel said Feb. 9 that the the 1990 "Treaty on the Final Settlement with respect to Germany," signed by East and West Germany and the Allies -- including Greece -- shortly before German reunification put a formal end to all claims against the united Germany for all matters relating to WWII.
The newly-elected SYRIZA coalition government in Greece is negotiating with its European creditors, of which Germany is the largest, over the repayment of Greece's public debt.
Germany rejects Greek claim for WWII reparations
Germany has rejected Greece’s demand for WWII reparations insisting the issue was resolved in the past.
German government spokesman Steffen Seibert said on Wednesday that calls by Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras a day earlier urging Germany to pay war reparations for the period in which the Nazi government occupied his country had been dealt with by Berlin with previous Greek governments.
Seibert said at a regular press conference in the German capital: "We maintain our conviction that the questions related to reparations and compensations were completely resolved, both in legal and political terms."
"Germany is well aware of the fact that it should always keep alive the consciousness of Germany’s moral responsibility, German guilt for the WWII and for the sufferings in many countries."
"But that does not change the political and legal evaluations on the questions of reparations and compensations," he added.
Problems 'emotionalized'
Tsipras had claimed Germany owed about €162 billion ($236 billion) to Greece for crimes committed during the occupation, in which thousands of Greeks were killed or starved to death.
German Finance Ministry spokesman Martin Jaeger also ruled out new negotiation on the Greek claims.
He said: "We should now look at the future together in order to solve difficult problems ahead."
"Such emotionalization of the issues is not helpful."
Greece had argued reparations should be paid under the London Debt Agreement of 1953.
Indebted country
But Berlin has said the 1990 Treaty on the Final Settlement with Respect to Germany, signed by East and West Germany and the Allies including Greece shortly before German reunification, had put a formal end to all claims against the united Germany relating to WWII.
The newly-elected SYRIZA coalition government in Greece is negotiating with its European creditors, of which Germany is the largest, over the repayment of Greece's public debt.
Eurogroup ministers discussed on Monday whether Greece’s list of economic reforms was sufficient in order for the indebted country to receive the next installment of €7.2 billion ($7.8 billion) in bailout aid.
The Greek government, which is entirely dependent on the European Central Bank for emergency loans, is expected to run out of funds if the bailout payment is not made this month.
