Siemens to sue Greece over damage claims
The German electronics and engineering powerhouse Siemens has said it will take legal action against the Greek government over damage claims in the bribes-for-biz scandal.
In a meeting with senior Socialist officials on Tuesday, the firm said its lawyers plan to file suit in a Munich court. Siemens denies claims by Athens that it must pay damages to the Greek state for its wrongdoing.
Siemens Hellas, the local division of the Munich-based company, is alleged to have paid bribes to political parties and public officials to gain lucrative contracts, which are estimated to have led Greek taxpayers suffering damages of some 2 billion euros.
In a statement issued late on Tuesday, Haris Paboukis, who is alternate minister for development, said the government will use ?all appropriate means? to safeguard the interests of the state and recover damages from the German company.
According to sources, the two sides have made, so far unsuccessful, efforts for an out-of-court settlement.
