Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the Turkish Foreign Ministry’s statement on the anniversary of Pontic Genocide (19.05.2021)

We are particularly disappointed to see the attempt to distort the historical truth repeated once again through a statement by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Lies, falsification of History and the use of inflammatory rhetoric are not in line with the promotion of good neighbourly relations by a country that aspires to become a member of the European Family.

The sober assessment of the facts by each country, in this case by Turkey, is a necessary step and a guarantee of the commitment that bleak events such as the genocide of Pontic Hellenism will not be repeated.

Self-criticism, apologizing to the victims’ relatives and abandoning revisionism are signs of strength, not weakness. They are prerequisites for a dialogue of good faith on the basis of International Law and the fight against the extremities of nationalism. They are prerequisites for the healing of the wounds of the past and for the reconciliation of peoples and states, in order to consolidate their peaceful coexistence.