Greece has officially joined the Italian-launched proceedings at the International Court of Justice in The Hague over World War II reparations from Germany, The Foreign Ministry in Athens said on Friday.
Italy filed a suit at the Hague Court demanding compensation from Germany for the 1943-1945 Nazi atrocities, and Greece is now seeking money for the notorious massacre in Distomo, a Greek village where 218 locals were executed by the Nazis.
Germany already paid off 115 million DM ($67 million) to Greece in 1960s for the 1941-1944 Nazi occupation, when hundreds of thousands of Greek civilians died of famine and thousands were executed in reprisals for acts of resistance. However, the relatives of the Distomo victims continue to seek compensation from Germany.
Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou expressed his support to the claim in an apparent attempt to reassure the people displeased with Germany's criticism over debt-ridden Greek budget.
"I do not understand the Greek government's decision. We will firmly stick to our position and are confident our legal argument will win in court," German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said.
ATHENS, January 14 (RIA Novosti)
