Türkiye condemns Greece over Pontus commemorations and historical claims
Türkiye’s Foreign Ministry has sharply criticized Greece over recent commemorative events and public statements related to Pontus claims, accusing Athens of exploiting history for political purposes and damaging bilateral relations.
In a written statement released on Tuesday, the ministry said Greece should abandon what it described as attempts to “distort historical realities and generate hostility from the past.”
The statement coincided with May 19 commemorations in Türkiye, a national holiday marking Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s arrival in Samsun in 1919 and the beginning of the Turkish War of Independence.
According to the Turkish Foreign Ministry, the Turkish nation celebrates May 19 as the “Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day,” honoring the launch of the national resistance movement against occupying forces following World War I.
Ankara Rejects “Pontus” Allegations
The ministry criticized Greek legislation adopted in 1994 regarding Pontus claims, arguing that the allegations against Turkey lack legal and historical basis.
It also accused Greece of institutionalizing what Ankara considers revisionist narratives by expanding the issue into the national education system through directives reportedly introduced in primary and secondary schools.
Turkey further claimed that Greece is attempting to obscure its own historical military failures and wartime actions by promoting what it called “distorted interpretations” of history.
References to Historical Conflicts
In the statement, Ankara argued that Greece’s military campaign under the “Megali Idea” expansionist vision ended in failure and claimed that subsequent Pontus narratives were designed to conceal that defeat.
The ministry also referred to reports by Allied investigation commissions and Article 59 of the Treaty of Lausanne, asserting that wartime actions committed by the Greek army in Anatolia were historically documented.
Additionally, Turkey called on Greek authorities to remember events including the Tripolitsa Massacre of 1821 and violence committed during the Greek occupation of İzmir and western Anatolia beginning on May 15, 1919.
Call for Dialogue and Cooperation
Despite the strong criticism, the Turkish Foreign Ministry concluded its statement by urging Greece to focus on improving bilateral relations through dialogue, peace, and cooperation rather than historical disputes.
“We invite Greece to adopt an approach that strengthens bilateral relations through peace and cooperation instead of distorting facts and producing hostility from history,” the statement said.
Türkiye’s Foreign Ministry has condemned Greece over recent Pontus commemorations and historical narratives, accusing Athens of distorting history for political purposes while calling for dialogue and cooperation between the two NATO neighbors.
