Greek claim on compensations an inalienable right, Tsipras says on WWII reparations
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
Greece and Germany must enter a dialogue on war reparations as equal partners, friends and allies, said Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras addressing a parliamentary session of an interparty commission on WWII reparations and compensation from Germany, on Wednesday.
- The Greek premier said his government intends to immediately issue a note verbale to the government of the Federal Republic of Germany, “reiterating its inalienable claims arising from the Nazi invasion and occupation, as well as from the war crimes of Nazi Germany,” the prime minister said.
Tsipras highlighted the conclusions of the commission’s claims, which concern reparations for infrastuctural destruction, compensation to victims and relatives of war crimes’ victims, repayment of the loan Greece was forced to give Nazi Germany, and the return of looted archaeological treasures and heirlooms.
“Some have dared to assert that Greece has used its claims on Nazi Germany’s war crimes to negotiate better terms for its debt and its position in the European Union, but this repugnant idea only typifies those who thought of it,” said Tsipras, “neither Greece nor us.”
- The Greek PM went on to say that relations betweem Greece and Germany have changed radically after the exit from the memorandum, and that the “spectacular improvement in relations with Germany have created a positive environment, a treaty of mutual understanding, cooperation and deepening of dialogue,” explaining why the government brought the 2016 conclusions of the committee to parliament now instead of earlier.
Tsipras also said that this plenary session should be a message of peace and reconcilliaton towards Germany and a victory over historical oblivion, and called the mere presence of far-right Nazi-sympathizer party Golden Dawn in parliament “a disgrace to the history of our people.”
Tsipras: Europe must not return to the dark ages
“I was the first Greek prime minister in Berlin to put forth the issue of reparations,” said Premier Alexis Tsipras on Wednesday, addressing the parliament’s plenary session on German WWII reparations.
Tsipras said the reparations are an ethical issue and comprise a serious claim. He said that today, more than ever, Greeks “ought to remember and honor those who fought against fascism.”
The PM underlined that extremism, nationalism and racism are “again threatening to divide people” and threaten Europe, bringing it “back to the dark age of hatred.”
This tendency, Tsipras said, is endangering the great accomplishments of the last 70 years and the very notion of democracy, and Europe too, something that cannot be allowed.
Source: ANA-MPA