“The government’s position on war reparations and the occupation loan is clear,” government spokesman Akis Skertsos said on Friday, revoking his own statement a day earlier that the government does not look in the past but towards the future.
Among others, the spokesperson said that Greece’s position on the issue of German WWII reparations was expressed in the prime minister’s last meeting with German Chancellor Scholz.
“It remains an open issue, especially the occupation loan, and we look forward to a discussion and resolution with the German government, recognizing the difficulties and pending legal issues,” Skertsos’ statement said.
“The fact that we have not found a solution does not cast a shadow on Greek-German relations and perspectives,” he noted, adding that all other interpretations do not reflect reality.
Skertsos’ statement was in fact responding to his own statements made a day before
Speaking to TRT TV, Skertsos said on Thursday to a question about German WWII reparations:
“If we dwell on issues concerning the past, we lose the battle for the future. We are a government that looks forward.
The issue for Greece today is not German reparations, but the climate crisis, it’s the digital invasion, it’s problems that have to do with attracting good investments to Europe – not to lose our productive base. I think that if we spend on issues that concern the past, we lose the battle for the future,” Skertsos said.
