Greece has formally requested talks with Germany over its demand for Second World War reparations, it emerged on Wednesday.

Athens is demanding up to €377bn (£330bn) in reparations from Germany for damage and suffering inflicted during the Nazi occupation of Greece.

Greece recently handed over a diplomatic note verbale formally requesting talks on the issue, the German foreign ministry confirmed on Wednesday.

There was no immediate response from Angela Merkel’s government, but so far it has refused to discuss the demands, insisting the issue of Second World War reparations was settled finally by the 1990 international agreement on the reunification of Germany.

“Germany is fully aware of its historic responsibilities,” a government spokesman said. “The federal government is doing everything to ensure that Germany and Greece have good relationships as partners and that they support each other for the good of both countries.”

Germany is desperate to avoid reopening the question of wartime reparations for fear demands may flood in from other victims of Nazi occupation.

In addition to the Greek demands, Poland is already calling for almost €800bn (£700bn) in reparations.