German president confronted with Greek reparations demands

During his official visit to Athens, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier was unexpectedly confronted with renewed Greek demands for reparations on Wednesday, reported dpa.

Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou reminded Steinmeier of the damage suffered by her country during World War II and a forced loan that Greece paid to Adolf Hitler's Germany.

The issue of war reparations and the forced loan is still "very important" for the Greek people, said Sakellaropoulou.

"A problem that is still in limbo," she added.

Greece, which was attacked and occupied during World War II by Italian and allied German troops, has long been demanding reparations for the war damage and repayment of the forced loan by Germany.

Steinmeier acknowledged Germany's responsibility for the "atrocities" committed before and during the war, but rejected the possibility of further reparations.

"We take a different view on the legal issue you have raised. You know that Germany considers the legal question of reparations to be closed under international law," he said. "Nevertheless, we stand by our historical and moral responsibility."

Steinmeier noted Germany's commitment to the construction of a Holocaust museum in the Greek city of Thessaloniki and the German-Greek youth exchange promoted by Germany.

"[The German crimes in Greece are] a difficult topic that still plays a role in our present-day relations and which we must not avoid, which is why I am also dedicating space to it during this visit," Steinmeier said.