19.05.2026 17:40
This year as well, Greece made statements regarding the unfounded 'Pontus' claim during its events held on May 19. Turkey's reaction to the scandal was not delayed, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, 'Greek authorities should stop exploiting history for political concerns and should commemorate the atrocities committed against Turks and other ethnic groups, starting from the Tripolitsa massacre in 1821.'
Türkiye reacted swiftly to Greece's baseless "Pontus" claims, which were brought up again during events held on May 19. In a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it was emphasized that Greek authorities should cease distorting history for political concerns. The statement stressed that Greece should confront the facts of its own history instead of making baseless allegations.
The statement included the following: "May 19, 1919, the date when the founder of the Republic of Türkiye, the Great Leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, landed in Samsun and initiated our national struggle against the occupying forces, including Greece, is celebrated with enthusiasm by the Turkish nation as the 'Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day.'
"GREECE TEACHES BASELESS PONTUS CLAIMS AS A LESSON"
Greece, with legislation it adopted at the national level in 1994 regarding the "Pontus" claim, makes baseless legal allegations against our country, continuously expands these unfounded claims without hesitation, and mandates them as lessons for children in primary and secondary schools across the country via a Ministry of Education circular.
"THEY TRY TO COVER UP THE GRAVE ATROCITY CRIMES THEY COMMITTED"
Greece, whose occupation attempt launched to realize the "Megali Idea" dream failed, tries to cover up its defeat and the grave atrocity crimes it committed by raising the baseless "Pontus" claim against our country. The war crimes and atrocities committed by the Greek army are documented in the reports of the Allied Powers Investigation Commission and in Article 59 of the Treaty of Lausanne.
"COMMEMORATE THE ATROCITIES CARRIED OUT AGAINST TURKS"
Greek authorities should cease exploiting history for political concerns and commemorate the atrocity crimes committed against Turks and other ethnic groups, starting with the Tripolitsa massacre in 1821, as well as the atrocities carried out against Turks and other ethnic groups in Western Anatolia, beginning with the occupation attempt of Izmir on May 15, 1919.
We invite Greece to adopt an attitude that develops our bilateral relations in peace and cooperation, rather than creating hostility from history by distorting facts."