It is observed that Poland and Greece have recently raised the issue of “war compensation” in the discourses they have developed against Germany. Athens and Warsaw demand war reparations from Berlin, citing war crimes committed by Nazi Germany during World War II.
Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias met with his Polish counterpart Zbigniew Rau in Warsaw on October 5, 2022, and underlined that this was the first bilateral meeting between foreign ministers in many years. Dendias also stated that Athens and Warsaw share many things, including history, and emphasized Polish athlete Jerzy Iwanow-Szajnowicz, who played an important role against the Nazi occupation of Greece in World War II.[1]
Moreover, Dendias raised the issue that Germany should pay war reparations to Greece during the meeting. The Greek Foreign Minister cited Germany’s war crimes during World War I and World War II as the reason for this.[2]
To have a clearer understanding of the Greek position on the issue of war reparations, it is also necessary to look at the historical background. The occupation of Greece by Nazi Germany on April 6, 1941, constitutes the basis of the problem.
In April 2019, the Greek Parliament passed a resolution demanding that Berlin pay war reparations to Athens by a large majority vote. According to the decision, Greece demands 9.2 billion euros for World War I and 309.5 billion euros for World War II. Germany, on the other hand, considers that it has fulfilled all its obligations by paying 115 million marks to Greece in 1960. The Greek Foreign Ministry announced in April 2021 that it insisted on discussing the issue of war reparations with Germany.[3]
On September 1, 2022, Warsaw demanded $1.3 trillion in war reparations from Berlin, citing war crimes committed by Nazi Germany during World War II. Germany, on the other hand, argues that in the years after World War II, reparations were paid to the Eastern Bloc countries and that the territories lost by Poland while the borders were redrawn were compensated by some of Germany’s pre-war territories.[4] Berlin announced that its opinion on the question had not changed after Poland’s request and stated that the issue was closed for them.
First of all, it should not be considered a surprise that Dendias raised this issue with his Polish counterpart. Poland has also recently demanded compensation from Germany for its occupation by the Nazis in World War II, and the Berlin administration has refused this. Therefore, it is seen that Athens and Warsaw want to act jointly against Berlin on this issue. In particular, the “emphasis on common history” is the most important reason for Greece and Poland to act together.
As can be understood, the fact that Poland and Greece were subjected to the occupation of Nazi Germany during World War II necessitates the act together of the parties in a sense.
Furthermore, Polish Foreign Minister Rau, during a meeting with his Greek counterpart, stated that they are waiting for an official response to the diplomatic note sent by his country to Germany on October 3, 2022. However, on October 4, 2022, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, during a meeting with her Polish counterpart, said that the issue of war reparations was closed from the point of view of Berlin.[5]
Another piece of evidence showing that Greece and Poland are acting in coordination on the issue of war reparations from Germany emerged during the meeting of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
On October 27, 2022, Scholz paid an official visit to Athens. During the visit, Mitsotakis raised the issue of war reparations. The Greek Prime Minister called on Germany to repay the mandatory compensation left over from the Nazi occupation and thus stated that the differences on the issue would be bridged.[6] However, Scholz stated that the issue has been closed from a legal and political point of view.[7]
Poland, on the other hand, made a statement on war reparations from Germany the day after the Mitsotakis-Scholz meeting. On October 28, 2022, the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs published a list of reparations that the country had sought from Germany for the tangible and intangible losses suffered during World War II. In addition to the 1.3 trillion euros in financial compensation, Poland demanded that Germany take “systemic measures” to return cultural items looted by the Nazis and still kept in Berlin. Moreover, Poland has demanded compensation paid to the victims of the Nazi occupation, as well as for the losses and damages suffered by their families.[8]
The remarkable point about war reparations is that Athens and Warsaw also acted together on the timing issue. The parties make statements one after the other, especially after they meet with German Government officials. In this context, it can be suggested that Poland and Greece want to put pressure on Germany by raising the issue in a coordinated manner.
Consequently, although Athens and Warsaw acted together on war reparations, it is very difficult for them to get a positive response. Athens and Warsaw are joining forces against Berlin on the question because they do not think they can achieve results on their own. Germany, on the other hand, does not compromise its position by stating to both countries that the problem has already been solved. Furthermore, the German economy has lost momentum due to both the Covid-19 pandemic and the energy crisis in Europe. Therefore, it should not be expected that Germany will come under such a heavy burden as war reparations.
[1] “Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias’ Statements Following His Meeting with Polish Counterpart, Zbigniew Rau (Warsaw, 05.10.2022)”, Hellenic Republic Ministry of Foreign Affairs, https://www.mfa.gr/en/current-affairs/top-story/minister-of-foreign-affairs-nikos-dendias-statements-following-his-meeting-with-polish-counterpart-zbigniew-rau-warsaw-05102022.html, (Date of Accession:28.10.2022).
[2] “Dendias: German War Reparations to Greece Still Remains Open”, Greek City Times, https://greekcitytimes.com/2022/10/11/dendias-german-war-reparations/, (Date of Accession:28.10.2022).
[3] Ibid.
[4] Monika Scislowska, “Poland Demands $1.3 Trillion War Reparations from Germany”, Associated Press, https://apnews.com/article/poland-germany-world-war-ii-warsaw-49b0cf77745a7b1cabfaa884c3bf0035, (Date of Accession:28.10.2022).
[5] “Poland Awaits Germany’s Official Response to WWII Reparations Claim”, The First News, https://www.thefirstnews.com/article/poland-awaits-germanys-official-response-to-wwii-reparations-claim-33573, (Date of Accession:28.10.2022).
[6] “Scholz Condemns Challenges Against Greek Sovereignty”, Ekathimerini, https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1196628/scholz-condemns-challenges-against-greek-sovereignty/, (Date of Accession:28.10.2022).
[7] “Germany Shuts Down Greek Reparations Request”, Russia Today, https://www.rt.com/news/565475-greece-germany-reparations-dispute-nazis/, (Date of Accession:28.10.2022).
[8] “Poland Lists Demands for WWII Reparations From Germany”, Russia Today, https://www.rt.com/news/565542-poland-reparations-germany-itemized-nazis/, (Date of Accession:28.10.2022).
