Turkish Foreign Ministry: Greek claims about Pontic Genocide ‘provocative’

Turkey’s Foreign Ministry has accused “certain politicians in Greece” of “distorting historical data” for making references to the Pontian Genocide.

In a statement, it said the claims of a genocide are based on “baseless claims … from some radical groups against Turkish history [that] fuel hostility towards Turkey.”

Addressing those “who target Turkey with unrealistic claims and statements,” the ministry noted “Greece’s responsibility, and the fact that it was ordered to pay sentenced to compensation for the atrocities committed by the invading Greek army, in violation of the laws of war, during the bloody invasion of Anatolia, were recorded in the Treaty of Lausanne.”

It claimed that there were “politicians who continue to manipulate, deceive, distort and fabricate lies and invert reality” and called on them to “face their own dark history and rid themselves of the hysteria that stems from hostility towards Turkey.”

“We recommend to all circles in Greece to adopt a vision that will allow an environment of peace and cooperation, instead of continuing their provocative rhetoric and actions today,” the statement concluded.

President Katerina Sakellaropoulou and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis both marked the 104th anniversary of the Pontian Genocide in statements issued on Pontian Greek Genocide Remembrance Day.

Responding to the statement from the Turkish Foreign Ministry, a spokesperson for the Greek Foreign Ministry said historical events should not be “forgotten nor written off or distorted.”

“All countries are proud of their history and they are all evaluated based on their contribution to global civilization. Greece is one of them. But history also hides dark moments that should neither be forgotten nor written off or distorted,” Georgios Arnaoutis said.

“The Pontic Genocide is undoubtedly one of them. Only by confronting the historical truth and acknowledging their mistakes can countries work together to create a better future. Extremism has no place in such a context.”