For unfounded claims about Pontus that aim to damage Greece-Turkey relations, he speaks in a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, earlier, on the occasion of today’s commemoration day for the genocide of the Pontians.

As emphasized, “Pontos’ claims made by far-right groups in Greece with populist rhetoric in 1994, 75 years after May 19, 1919, which we accept as the beginning of our War of Independence, are baseless”.

As Sky’s correspondent in Istanbul, Manolis Kostidis, reports, the announcement also states that “these allegations aim to damage Turkish-Greek relations and put the reasonable sections of Greek politics in a difficult position”.

The announcement summarizes that bilateral relations with Greece have recently gained positive momentum.

“Our expectation from the Greek government is that it will take a clear stand against the efforts of some irresponsible politicians to prevent future generations from living in peace and tranquility.”

The full statement from the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

“The Pontos claims made by far-right groups in Greece with populist rhetoric in 1994, 75 years after May 19, 1919, which we accept as the beginning of our War of Independence, are baseless.

“Pont” is just a definition from antiquity. The Pontic activities that appeared at the end of the 19th century are an extension of the Greek “Big Idea” plan. The issue essentially consists of exploiting a historical process that resulted in the exchange of Turks and Greeks, making it the subject of unfounded claims.

These allegations aim to damage Turkish-Greek relations and put the reasonable sections of Greek politics in a difficult position.

Our bilateral relations with Greece have recently gained positive momentum. Our expectation from the Greek government is that it will take a clear stand against the efforts of some irresponsible politicians to prevent future generations from living in peace and tranquility.”