Sakellaropoulou raises the importance of German war reparations, WWII occupation loan
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
The great importance for the Greek people of the issue of war reparations and the forced occupation loan, which remains outstanding, was raised by the President of the Hellenic Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou during her meeting with the Federal President of Germany Frank Walter Steinmeier at the Presidential Mansion on Wednesday.
Sakellaropoulou pointed out that the “Greek-German friendship is based on honest dialogue and mutual respect. In this spirit, I would like to emphasise, based on the relevant decision of the Greek Parliament of 2019, the great importance that the issue of war reparations and the occupation loan, which remain outstanding, has for the Greek people.”
She also underlined that “Greece, a pillar of stability and security in the Eastern Mediterranean, seeks good neighbourly relations and the peaceful resolution of disputes. In this context, we expect from important friends, such as Germany, the demonstration of allied solidarity and understanding of sensitive balances in the region.”
“At the same time, modern challenges, such as the climate crisis and migration, require coordinated action, both on European-wide and global basis, founded on the principles of solidarity and a fair distribution of burdens. Only in this way will we be able to effectively protect our democracies from the alarming phenomena of rising populism, nationalism and intolerance.”
On his part, Steinmeier emphasised that Greece and Germany have common values, which they respect. He expressed his satisfaction that his Greek counterpart had invited him to participate in Tuesday’s event in Thessaloniki, “a city with which I am connected by many things, as you already mentioned, especially with regard to German responsibility, with the atrocities committed by the Germans before and during the Second World War.”
In particular, on the issue of reparations, he stated that “as far as our legal position on the issue of reparations is concerned, it is different. We are of the opinion that legally this issue is considered to have ended, however we remain committed to our historical responsibility, not only with regard to Thessaloniki but also elsewhere.”
He also stated: “This was also the reason that pushed me to get in touch with those remaining in Thessaloniki, with the Jewish Community, and to discuss how we could create a Memorial for the people who were lost. This was also the start of the whole idea of creating a Museum in Thessaloniki, not only regarding the victims of the Holocaust but also all the victims of the German Occupation. And I am especially grateful for the fact that both Greece, and the Greek government, private foundations, but also with the support of Germany, we can now implement this project, the progress of which we saw yesterday in Thessaloniki.”
source ANA-MPA
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