May 19: Greek politicians talk about memory and recognition

President of the Republic Costas Tasoulas lays a wreath (photo: APE-MPA / Dimitris Alexoudis)

May 19 The political leadership of Greece made statements about genocide of the Pontic Greeksthe memory of the victims and the need for international recognition.

May 19V Remembrance Day of the Pontic Greek Genocidepolitical and government leadership Greece made statements about the tragedy Pontic Hellenisminternational recognition of genocide and preservation of historical memory.

This year, the memorable date has again become not only a day of mourning, but also a political reminder: the question Pontian genocide remains for Greece a theme of historical justice, diplomacy and national memory. True, as is usually the case in politics, each statement sounded a little differently: from the restrained state tone to party accents and the usual ideological references.

Tasoulas: memory requires the protection of historical truth

President of Greece Konstantinos Tasoulas stated that the memory of the victims genocide of the Pontic Greeks calls on the country to remain committed to the values ​​on which the peaceful coexistence of peoples is built.

According to Athina 9.84the president called genocide a crime against humanity under the Ottoman Empire, which deeply marked Hellenism and the historical consciousness of the Greeks.

According to Tasulasathis day reminds us of the need to defend historical truth and continue efforts for international recognition of genocide as an act of justice and moral restoration. He also emphasized that Greece continues to promote dialogue, reconciliation and international cooperation, and recognition of historical crimes should not be seen as an act of opposition.

Mitsotakis: a debt of memory and gratitude

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis called the genocide of the Pontic Greeks one of the most tragic pages of modern history. In his statement, he recalled 353,000 deaddeportations, executions, death marches, labor battalions and the destruction of monuments, churches and monasteries.

As he writes HuffPost Greecethe Prime Minister emphasized that, despite the passage of time, the memory remains alive. He noted that the surviving Pontic people who arrived in Greece managed to turn pain into creation: they built new cities, enriched the culture of the country and became part of the foundation of the modern Greek state.

According to Mitsotakisthe Pontic community owes not only a debt of memory, but also a debt of gratitude. This is an important emphasis: the Pontic people in his statement are presented not only as victims of tragedy, but also as an active force that contributed greatly to the development of modern Greece.

Androulakis: international recognition is not only a national task

Leader PASOK – KINAL Nikos Androulakis named May 19 “the black anniversary in the history of Hellenism.” He emphasized that it is now necessary to take the next step in the matter of international recognition Pontic genocide.

How it conveys ERT News, Androulakis stated that in an era when revisionist forces are trying to redraw the map, and wars and mass displacement of people are once again a reality, international recognition of the Pontian genocide is not only a national goal, but also a universal task.

According to him, only a strong collective memory can prevent the recurrence of such crimes against humanity. The wording is generally correct. All that remains is for memory to really work as a brake in international politics, and not as a decorative plaque on the wall.

Koutsumbas: recognition of genocide and the problems of the Pontians today

Secretary General CNG Dimitris Koutsoumbas took part in an event organized by All-Pontic Federation of Greece in parliament. He stated that CNG supports the demand for official recognition of the genocide of the Greeks of Pontus.

According to ERT News, Koutsumbas reminded me of about 350,000 dead and more than 1 million expelled. In doing so, he connected Pontus’s tragedy with a broader critique of wars, imperialist conflicts and the policies of the ruling classes.

Separately, he touched upon the situation of the Pontic Greeks who moved to Greece after the collapse of the USSR. According to him, many of them still face problems of housing, infrastructure and full social integration. In particular, he stated that in 2026 The houses of many Pontic Greeks remain outside the urban plan, without sewerage, and in some cases even without water supply.

Dendias: historical memory as an element of national identity

Minister of National Defense Nikos Dendias in his statement he called the genocide of the Pontic Greeks one of the largest crimes against humanity in the 20th century.

According to Insider Greece, Dendias noted that Greece honors the memory 353,000 victimsas well as the great contribution of the Pontians to the economic, spiritual and social life of the country and their participation in all national struggles.

According to the minister, the preservation of historical memory is an element of national identity and a minimum duty of the state and society.

Parliament honored the victims with a minute of silence

The memorable date was also celebrated in Greek parliament. According to Athina 9.84plenary session commemorated 353,000 victims genocide of the Pontic people and the forced expulsion of Pontic Hellenism with a moment of silence.

Presiding Paris Koukoulopoulos emphasized the need to restore historical truth through universal international recognition of the genocide. He also noted that even European Parliament I have not yet come to such recognition.

“New Left”: memory should not be selective

“New Left” stated that May 19 is a day of memory, honor and historical responsibility. The party statement said that Pontic Hellenism survived exile, destruction and the loss of its homelands, but managed to preserve culture, language, memory and dignity.

As he writes in.grthe party also opposed denial, revisionism and historical oblivion. At the same time “New Left” connected the memory of the Pontian genocide with modern tragedies and stated that memory cannot be selective.

Memory, politics and the unfinished question of recognition

Statements by Greek politicians vary in tone, but agree on the main thing: genocide of the Pontic Greeks remains not only a historical wound, but also a matter of international recognition. For some, this is primarily a national memory and a duty to the Pontic community. For others, it is part of a larger debate about war, displacement, revisionism and peoples’ rights.

But the general conclusion sounds quite clear: after 107 years old after the beginning of the tragedy of Pontic Hellenism, the memory of it remains alive. And if state statements should not turn into an annual ritual with beautiful words and zero continuation, then the main question remains the same: what exactly are Greece and Europe ready to do for international recognition of this page of history?

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