Greece reiterates demand for WWII reparations from Germany

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
31 Oct 2024 00:44

Greece seeks approximately €300 billion ($326 billion), based on a 2016 parliamentary report.

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German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, second left, accompanied by Greece's President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, left, inspects a guard of honour, before their meeting, in Athens, on Wednesday, October 30, 2024. (AP)

Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou renewed her country's call for reparations from Germany for World War II damages during a meeting with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Athens on Wednesday.

Referring to a 2019 Greek parliamentary resolution, Sakellaropoulou stressed the importance of addressing Greece's unpaid war reparations and a forced occupation loan taken by the Nazis, which she said represents "open wounds" for the Greek people.

She suggested that resolving these issues could help strengthen Greek-German relations.

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Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou reminded him of wartime damage and a forced loan Greece paid to Nazi Germany. pic.twitter.com/CaiyPJjqcd
— DW Politics (@dw_politics) October 30, 2024

Germany, however, maintains its longstanding position on the matter.

Steinmeier reiterated Germany's view that the issue is "legally closed," though he acknowledged Germany's "historical responsibility" and expressed commitment to honoring that responsibility in other ways.

This stance has been consistent since a 1960 payment from Germany to Greece of around $64 million which Berlin considers a final settlement.

€300 billion worth of reparations

The reparations debate has been a point of contention for decades.

Greece seeks approximately €300 billion ($326 billion), based on a 2016 parliamentary report assessing wartime losses, fatalities, and the loan the Nazis forced from Greece's Central Bank.

The Greek Parliament formally demanded these reparations in 2019, but German officials have repeatedly asserted that the matter is resolved.

Steinmeier's visit to Greece included a tour of the under-construction Holocaust Museum in Thessaloniki and an upcoming visit to the village of Kandanos in Crete, which suffered severe losses under Nazi occupation.

The two leaders also discussed current cooperation in areas such as economy, trade, and education, as well as international issues impacting both nations.