German President Joachim Gauck raised the possibility of German World War II reparations to Greece in newspaper comments being published Saturday, dpa reported.

The head of state was quoted by the Sueddeutsche Zeitung as saying that Germany, as a history-conscious country, should consider 'what possibilities' there could be for reparations.

He said Germans were 'the descendants of people who had left a trail of destruction' across Europe in World War II.

The presidency in Germany is a largely ceremonial post, but its holders are highly respected as elder statesmen.

Gauck's comments were published after the German government last month rejected the latest claim by Athens for compensation linked to the Nazi occupation of Greece during the war.