Greece To Seek ‘Millions’ From Germany As World War II Reparations
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Greece’s finance ministry has set up a “working group” of researchers to go through historical records for damages caused by Germany during World War II, claimed a report by AFP on Tuesday, with the Greeks prepared to seek financial reparations beyond an agreement reached in 1960.
Greece’s finance ministry has set up a “working group” of researchers to go through historical records for damages caused by Germany during World War II, claimed a report by AFP on Tuesday, with the Greeks prepared to seek financial reparations beyond an agreement reached in 1960.
According to Deputy Finance Minister Christos Staikouras, Greece had been forced to accept unfavourable terms during reparation negotiations following World War II; and the country now wanted to claim up to $7.5 million in damages for actions conducted by the Nazis.
[quote]“The matter remains pending…(but) Greece has never resigned its rights,” said Staikouras, who called for a “realistic and cool-headed” approach to negotiations, particularly as Germany is the biggest single donor to Greece’s bailout package.[/quote]Still, many in Greece blame Germany for the tough austerity measures imposed on the country, while diplomatic relations between the two sides have grown increasingly tense.
Last month, Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras called on international lenders for “more time” and “breathing room” to meet their bailout obligations, though his remarks were immediately rebuffed by German politicians.
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German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble for instance said, “more time generally means more money and that very soon means a new (bailout) program,” while Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle added: “We want to help, but there won’t be any substantial changes to the agreed reforms.”
[quote]On his part, Samaras told the German daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung in an interview published last month: “The Germans will get their money back, I guarantee that personally.”[/quote]Staikouras though insist that his ministry’s claims against Germany have little to do it with the recent spat. Rather, Greece has been pursuing this matter for years, with the working group’s report expected by the end of the year.
Germany, on the other hand, considers the matter closed having already paid reparations in accordance with the past agreement.
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