Turkish Foreign Ministry denies Pontic genocide,accuses Greece of “historical manipulation”

Turkey rejects Greek commemorations of the Pontic Greeks, calling them “baseless claims” and referring to alleged “Greek atrocities.”

A caller diplomatic clash has emerged betwixt Greece and Turkey aft the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a sharply worded connection rejecting the designation of the Pontic Greek Genocide and accusing Athens of “exploiting past for governmental purposes.”

The connection was issued successful effect to Greece’s commemorations marking May 19, a time dedicated successful Greece to the representation of the victims of the Pontic Greek assemblage during the last years of the Ottoman Empire.

Ankara described the communicative surrounding the Pontic Genocide arsenic historically unfounded and politically motivated.

SHARP RHETORIC FROM ANKARA

In its authoritative statement, Turkey framed May 19 not arsenic a time of remembrance for Pontic Greeks, but arsenic the day of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s landing successful Samsun successful 1919, which marked the opening of Turkey’s War of Independence.

The ministry accused Greece of promoting “baseless allegations” regarding Pontus, arguing that these claims deficiency ineligible and humanities foundation.

It further criticized Greek acquisition and legislative references to the issue, claiming that specified narratives are transmitted done authoritative channels and schoolhouse curricula, reinforcing what Ankara considers a distorted mentation of history.

COUNTER-ACCUSATIONS OF “GREEK ATROCITIES”

In a highly confrontational tone, the Turkish Foreign Ministry went beyond denial and accused Greece of committing “atrocities” during the play of the Greco-Turkish War (1919–1922).

The connection referenced:

• alleged reports by Allied investigative commissions,
• provisions of the Treaty of Lausanne,
• and humanities episodes during the Greek landing successful Smyrna (Izmir) successful 1919.

Turkey claims these documents grounds warfare crimes and abuses committed by Greek forces and different groups successful Western Anatolia.

REFERENCE TO THE “MEGALI IDEA” AND SMYRNA

The Turkish connection besides accused Greece of attempting to revive humanities revisionism linked to the “Megali Idea” (Great Idea), referring to Greece’s aboriginal 20th-century territorial ambitions successful Asia Minor.

It highlighted:

• the 1821 Tripolitsa massacre,
• and events pursuing the Greek landing successful Smyrna,

arguing that Greece selectively interprets past portion ignoring its ain past actions successful the region.

CALL FOR “PEACEFUL RELATIONS” DESPITE TENSIONS

Despite the powerfully worded accusations, the connection concluded with a telephone for restraint and improved bilateral relations.

Turkey urged Greece to halt “reopening humanities hostilities” and alternatively absorption connected fostering practice and bid betwixt the 2 countries.

However, the contradiction betwixt the assertive rhetoric and the diplomatic entreaty has not gone unnoticed by observers.

A LONG-STANDING BATTLE OVER HISTORICAL MEMORY

The quality reflects a profoundly entrenched humanities and governmental disagreement betwixt the 2 NATO members.

Greece officially recognizes the Pontic Greek Genocide, commemorating the persecution and wide displacement of Pontic Greeks during the illness of the Ottoman Empire.

Turkey, however, rejects the word “genocide,” arguing that the events are portion of a broader and communal struggle during a turbulent play of warfare and colonisation movements.

As a result, humanities representation itself remains a recurring root of diplomatic tension, often resurfacing during commemorative dates oregon periods of heightened bilateral strain.

Yunanistan’da 19 Mayıs 2026 Tarihinde Düzenlenen Bazı Etkinlikler ve Yapılan Açıklamalar Hk. https://t.co/Gaa2S5WtF0 pic.twitter.com/5ryWxS3F8p

— T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı (@TC_Disisleri) May 19, 2026

Source: pagenews.gr

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