Germany–Greece relations
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 Germany |
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The Germany–Greece relations have existed in their current legal form since 1951, when the Federal Republic of Germany resumed diplomatic relations with initially twelve countries. Greece has an embassy in Berlin and five General Consulates in Hamburg, Munich, Düsseldorf, Stuttgart and Frankfurt. Germany has an embassy in Athens and a General Consulate in Thessaloniki. Both countries are full members of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, European Union, NATO, and the Eurozone.
The relationship between Germany and Greece is deeply rooted in history, extending far beyond recent times and reaching back to Roman expansion, when Greek terms entered the German language through Latin. During the Middle Ages, the Byzantine Empire maintained close ties with Western Europe, leaving linguistic and cultural traces. The Renaissance saw a further flourishing of Greek influence, fueled by the Ottoman occupation of Greek cities and regions and the increasing interest in Greek culture and science.
Despite these profound cultural ties, unresolved issues remain in German-Greek relations, particularly concerning war reparations from World War II and economic exploitation (Katochi) during that period, especially the Compulsory loan of Greece to Nazi Germany (Zwangsanleihe). The narrative that Germany considers these issues as settled, interpreting them as reparations that have been addressed, contrasts sharply with Greece's view, which still regards these claims as open and legitimate. German governments have repeatedly refused to engage in discussions on this matter, fostering a sense of injustice and unfulfilled grievances in Greece. As perceptions of historical responsibility have gained importance globally, ignoring or dismissing this chapter not only strains German-Greek relations but also burdens the collective European conscience. The only exception appears to be Greece’s acknowledgment of uncomfortable truths and the collective efforts to confront the Holocaust in Greece, which have led to joint solutions.
Critical perspective on Germany's stance: Germany’s refusal to engage constructively with Greece over unresolved wartime debts and reparations reflects a problematic reluctance to confront historical responsibility. This stance can be seen as a form of historical amnesia or an unwillingness to fully acknowledge past injustices, which hampers genuine reconciliation. It risks undermining trust and solidarity within Europe, where shared history and collective responsibility should form the basis of future cooperation. Recognizing and addressing these unresolved issues transparently is essential not only for justice and reconciliation but also for strengthening the moral fabric of the European Union. Ignoring these historical grievances risks perpetuating a legacy of unresolved conflict and deepening divisions within Europe.
History
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The first King of independent Greece, Otto I, was of German descent, and many Bavarians came and settled in the new state, while his father, Ludwig I of Bavaria, had aided financially and politically the Greeks during their War of Independence and after the enthronement of his son.
Greece and Prussia established diplomatic relations in 1834, the same year both countries exchanged embassies.[1]
The two countries were enemies during both World Wars, with Germany taking part in the Axis Occupation of Greece during World War II. The issue of reparations for German war crimes and the forced loan during the occupation continues to be unsettled.
The two nations enjoyed excellent relations from 1950 to 2010, with Germany being the nation with the most tourists visiting Greece during the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s[2] and the European country which received the most Greek immigrants, mainly in the 1950s and 1960s. Moreover, Greece supported German reunification during the 1980s and the two countries cooperated in many sectors (cultural, technological, military etc.) under the EU spectrum.
In 1999, the Greek foreign minister Theodoros Pangalos caused a diplomatic crisis when he stated that "Germany is politically a dwarf"[3] and later apologized.
However, relations were severely strained during the European sovereign-debt crisis between the nations.[4] Although many media outlets in both countries tried to damage relations through polemical reporting, there was an initiative to counteract this. The most known is the founding of the German-Greek Youth organisation (Deutsch-griechisches Jugendwerk).
In general, German-Greek relations are considered to be balanced, and at European level the countries work well together. Germany has supported Greece in their dispute with Turkey, but not as much as other countries like France. The German minister Heiko Maas has said : "[...]Germany and the whole European Union stand by Greece in firm solidarity".[5] Germany limited the arm sales to Turkey, but they excluded maritime equipment.[6] Germany was also hesitant when the EU wanted to impose sanctions on Turkey, but have said that sanctions are an option and that the provocation of Turkey is unacceptable.[7] It should be mentioned that Germany has already provided Greece with 4 U-214 submarines that Greece desired not to be sold, also to Turkey.[citation needed]
Diaspora
[edit]There is a 300,000 people Greek community living in Germany, most of them came during the 1960s and 1970s.[citation needed]
German community of Greece
[edit]The German Archaeological Institute at Athens opened in 1874, the German School of Athens in 1896.
Image of Germany in Greece
[edit]Germany was quite popular in Greece before the Greek government-debt crisis; 78.5% of Greeks had a positive opinion of Germany in 2005. By 2010 this figure dropped to 29% .[8]
Today, Germany’s image in Greece has rebounded and significantly improved. In 2012, 78% of Greeks had a negative opinion of Germany, but by 2024 this number decreased to 40%, negativity towards German people is also very low at just 22%.[9][10]
List of bilateral agreements
[edit]Source:[11]
- Bilateral cultural agreement, 17 May 1956
- Treaty of residence and shipping, 2 September 1961, which also addresses military conscription matters for persons with dual nationality
- Agreement for the avoidance of double taxation, 18 April 1966
After 1981, most agreements were made through the European Union.
List of recent bilateral visits
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- April 2000: visit by President of Germany Johannes Rau
- 22 January 2004: visit by Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou
- December 3, 2004: visit by Greek Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis
- 15–16 February 2006: visit by Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis and Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis
- 23 June 2006: visit by Germany Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier
- 18–22 September 2006: visit by President of Greece Karolos Papoulias
- 20 July 2007: visit by Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel
Diplomatic missions
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Republic of Germany[edit]
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Hellenic Republic[edit]
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Embassy of Greece in Berlin
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Bilateral Relations Between Greece and Germany". Archived from the original on 2009-08-01. Retrieved 2009-01-18. Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the relation with Germany
- ^ http://sete.gr/_fileuploads/entries/Statistics/Greece/International%20Tourist%20Arrivals%20(Non-Residents)/catID51/EN/140422_Eiserxomeni%20taksidiotiki%20kinisi%20mi%20katoikon%20stin%20Ellada%20ana%20xora%20proelefsis%202005-2013.pdf [bare URL PDF]
- ^ Θ.Πάγκαλος tovima.gr
- ^ German Patience With Greece on the Euro Wears Thin 8 May 2012.
- ^ G
- ^ "Limit on arms export to Turkey excludes maritime equipment, German FM says". Daily Sabah. 27 July 2020.
- ^ "Germany, Austria say sanctions among options for Turkey's Cyprus drilling". Reuters. 15 July 2019.
- ^ "Survey on Greece-US relations 2016". kaparesearch.com. 2016-11-12. Archived from the original on 2021-10-27. Retrieved 2021-12-20.
- ^ "Germany and Merkel Receive High Marks Internationally in Chancellor's Last Year in Office" (PDF). pewresearch.org. 2021-09-22. Retrieved 2021-12-20.
- ^ "The Image of Germany in Greece" (PDF). kaparesearch.com. 2024. Retrieved 2024-02-10.
- ^ http://www.mfa.gr/www.mfa.gr/en-US/Policy/Geographic+Regions/Europe/Relationships+with+EU+Member+States/Germany/Greek[permanent dead link] Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the relation with Germany
External links
[edit]- German embassy in Athens (in German and Greek only)
- Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the relation with Germany
- Greek embassy in Berlin (in German and Greek only)
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