Turkey's 'Pontus' reaction to Greece: Attempting to cover up defeat

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a written statement within the scope of the May 19 Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day.

In the statement regarding certain events held in Greece today, it was emphasized that Mustafa Kemal Atatürk launched the National Struggle against the occupying powers, including Greece, by landing in Samsun.

“GREECE IS EXPANDING BASELESS CLAIMS”

In the Ministry's statement, it was expressed that Greece has been making claims against Turkey that lack a legal basis through legislation it adopted in 1994 regarding "Pontus" allegations.

The statement noted that these claims are constantly being expanded and are being taught as lessons in primary and secondary schools across the country through a circular from the Ministry of Education.

“TRYING TO COVER UP THE DEFEAT OF THE OCCUPATION ATTEMPT”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement included the following expressions:

“Greece, whose occupation attempt to realize the dream of 'Megali Idea' failed, is trying to cover up the defeat it experienced and the grave crimes of atrocity it committed by bringing the baseless 'Pontus' claim against our country to the agenda.”

The statement also noted that the war crimes and atrocities committed by the Greek army were recorded in the reports of the Allied Powers Investigation Commission and Article 59 of the Treaty of Lausanne.

EMPHASIS ON TRIPOLITSA AND IZMIR

The Ministry called on Greek authorities to stop exploiting history for political concerns.

The statement expressed that, in addition to the crimes committed against Turks and other ethnic groups starting with the Tripolitsa massacre in 1821, the atrocities experienced in Western Anatolia with the occupation of Izmir on May 15, 1919, should also be remembered.

“TAKE STEPS FOR PEACE AND COOPERATION”

At the end of the statement, a call was made to Greece to "adopt an attitude that will develop bilateral relations in peace and cooperation instead of creating hostility from history by distorting the facts."

Here is the written statement made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

"May 19, 1919, the date when the founder of the Republic of Turkey, the Great Leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, landed in Samsun and launched our national struggle against the occupying powers, including Greece, is celebrated with enthusiasm by the Turkish nation within the scope of 'Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day.'

Greece makes claims against our country that lack a legal basis with the legislation it adopted at the national level regarding the 'Pontus' claim in 1994, constantly expands these baseless claims without hesitation, and teaches them to children as lessons in primary and secondary schools nationwide through a circular from the Ministry of Education.

Greece, whose occupation attempt to realize the dream of 'Megali Idea' failed, is trying to cover up the defeat it experienced and the grave crimes of atrocity it committed by bringing the baseless 'Pontus' claim against our country to the agenda. The war crimes and atrocities committed by the Greek army were recorded in the reports of the Allied Powers Investigation Commission and Article 59 of the Treaty of Lausanne.

Greek authorities should stop exploiting history for political concerns and should remember the atrocities carried out against Turks and other ethnic groups in Western Anatolia, which began with the occupation attempt of Izmir on May 15, 1919, as well as the crimes of atrocity committed against Turks and other ethnic groups starting with the Tripolitsa massacre in 1821.

We invite Greece to adopt an attitude that will develop our bilateral relations in peace and cooperation instead of creating hostility from history by distorting the facts."

News Source: 12punto