Türkiye’s Foreign Ministry has strongly rejected recent statements by Greek authorities on the anniversary of the disputed “Pontus” claims, calling them unfounded and detached from historical facts.

The ministry said these claims attempt to distort Türkiye’s War of Independence led by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk on May 19, 1919, and ignore documented atrocities committed by the Greek army during its occupation of Anatolia, backed by imperial powers of the time.

Referring to historical reports and the Treaty of Lausanne, Türkiye reminded that Greece was held responsible for war crimes and ordered to pay reparations. It also denounced efforts to exploit these events for political gain, urging Greece to stop stirring up hostility and focus on improving relations.

The remarks followed Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’s recent comments on social media about the Pontus issue.

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