Greece once again demands reparations from Germany
Athens has reiterated its demand for reparations from Germany for damages caused during World War II. During her meeting with the visiting German President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou raised the issue, emphasizing the importance of compensation for the atrocities committed by German forces in Greece during the war.
In a joint press conference following their meeting in Athens, Sakellaropoulou highlighted the significance of the issue for the Greek people, referencing the forced loans taken by Nazi Germany and the ongoing call for war reparations. She stated that reparations remain "a matter of great importance" for Greece. Athens has long sought compensation for the destruction and suffering caused by the German military (Wehrmacht) during the occupation of Greece from 1941 to 1944.
German President Steinmeier responded by acknowledging the "cruelty" inflicted during the war and expressed Germany's moral responsibility for these actions. However, he maintained that from a legal standpoint, Germany considers the issue of reparations resolved. "We have a different legal perspective on this matter, and under international law, the reparations issue is considered closed," he stated.
Steinmeier noted Germany’s ongoing efforts to address historical accountability, mentioning Germany’s support for the Holocaust Museum in Thessaloniki and the German-Greek Youth Exchange Program. He acknowledged that the painful legacy of wartime atrocities continues to shape German-Greek relations, adding, "We must not avoid these discussions, and I have revisited this issue during my visit to provide an open space for dialogue."
