Erdogan’s message on the Remembrance Day of the Pontic Genocide was provocative for the Greeks, the day Turkey has chosen to honour the perpetrator of the genocide Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

The Turkish president mentioned that on May 19, 1919, the struggle “against the hostile occupation of our nation” began.

Erdogan stated that on this date, the first brick was laid for the construction of a strong Turkey and added: “This date was the spark of the spirit of independence and the future that was stirred from every corner of our country against the hostile occupation of our nation.”

“In continuation of this process, during which our nation started a comprehensive struggle for existence by revealing its resistance against occupation, the struggle for existence and annihilation (sic) began, which was incorporated with the cries for either independence or death,” he further stated.

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“The torch of independence, which was lit in Samsun, spread throughout Anatolia with Amasya, Erzurum, Sivas, and then Ankara,” he pointed out.

“The meaning of standing against difficulties and fighting with determination and faith lies in this spirit. We can continue our country’s struggle for development, expansion and empowerment despite all kinds of pressures and challenges facing our country, only if we embrace the spirit, substance, principles, ideals, and goals of May 19,” he added.