×
GreekEnglish

×
  • Politics
  • Diaspora
  • World
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Cooking
Saturday
20
Dec 2025
weather symbol
Athens 15°C
  • Home
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • World
  • Diaspora
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Mediterranean Cooking
  • Weather
Contact follow Protothema:
Powered by Cloudevo
> Politics

Turkey releases provocative statement calling Pontic Genocide “imaginary”

The Turkish Foreign Ministry said Greece owed compensation for the atrocities of its army in 1919

Newsroom May 22 09:22

The Turkish Foreign Ministry issued a highly provocative press release against Greek politicians who made statements related to the occasion of the anniversary of the internationally recognised Genocide of the Pontic Greeks on May 19, 1919 by the predecessor to the modern Turkish state.
The statement dubbed Greek politicians as “radical groups”, while calling the “claims” of the killing of 300,000 Pontic Greeks “imaginary” that “distorted historical facts”.
The press release implied that the statements by Greek politicians were organised and aimed at spreading hate towards Turkey, while it went as far as to make reference of “compensation” for the atrocities committed by the Greek army against Turks in 1919.

The full Press Release:

19 May 1919 marks the beginning of our national struggle that led to the founding of the Republic of Turkey and is celebrated with pride every year in Turkey and abroad.
The attempts of some radical groups to cast a shadow on this meaningful day with their imaginary claims targeting our history, with their activities seeking to fuel hatred against Turkey as well as the statements of some politicians in Greece that distort historical facts for their political motives cannot be accepted.
We remind the claimants of these unsubstantiated allegations that the responsibility of Greece for the atrocities committed by her army, which also violated laws of war while invading Anatolia, and her obligation to pay a compensation were laid down in the Treaty of Lausanne.
We bring to their attention that when the atrocities committed by the Greek Army against Turks reached an inconceivable magnitude, the allies of Greece established an Inquiry Commission and identified inhumane crimes of the Greek Army.
As a matter of fact, these baseless claims targeting our history bear no relation to reason, conscience, and fairness. This rhetoric is incompatible with our objectives to further our bilateral relations and leaves a negative legacy to future generations.
The nomination of our great leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk for the Nobel Peace Prize by the then Prime Minister of Greece, Venizelos, in 1934 after the founding of the Republic of Turkey constitutes the clearest proof showing that there is no such historical issue between the two countries in contrast to the claims of some irresponsible politicians and radical Greeks.

Ask me anything

Explore related questions

#Pontic Greek Genocide#turkey#Turkish Foreign Ministry
> More Politics

Follow en.protothema.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news

See all the latest News from Greece and the World, the moment they happen, at en.protothema.gr

> Latest Stories

Tsiaras’ statement on farmers’ demands: 74% have already been met, dialogue is a matter of responsibility

December 20, 2025

Rare video shows Domna Samiou teaching Cretan Christmas carols

December 20, 2025

Weather: Rain and drop in temperatures over the weekend – Unstable conditions through Christmas

December 20, 2025

Farmers remain unmoved: Blockades continue through Christmas, toll booths open over the weekend

December 20, 2025

Payment and relief map for 2026: What applies to farmers, pensioners, tenants, landowners and employees

December 20, 2025

Ruthless cartel tactics: Cocaine hidden in tons of manure, submarines, and even rockets attached to passenger ships

December 20, 2025

Regulation of the Ministry of Development ensures basic aid for farmers who have outstanding issues with the Land Registry

December 19, 2025

ELTA: New stamp and envelope series “ELPIDA – Marianna B. Vardinoyanni

December 19, 2025
All News

> Lifestyle

Timothée Chalamet reveals he trained in table tennis for seven years for his new film “Marty Supreme”

Timothée Chalamet revealed that he trained in table tennis for seven years for the needs of his new film Marty Supreme, explaining that he began playing seriously during the pandemic

December 18, 2025

Milla Jovovich turns 50: “What an incredible journey — It feels like I’ve lived so many different lives”

December 17, 2025

Stavros Niarchos & Charlotte Ford: The wedding that shook a dynasty

December 17, 2025

Georgina Rodriguez: “It was the least he could do,” she commented on Ronaldo’s $3 million engagement ring

December 17, 2025

James Cameron joins the billionaires’ club

December 16, 2025
Homepage
PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION POLICY COOKIES POLICY TERM OF USE
Powered by Cloudevo
Copyright © 2025 Πρώτο Θέμα