The MEP of the New Democracy and the Genocide of the Pontians, Frentis Beleris,<\/b> referred to the Day of Remembrance for the Genocide of the Pontians in a post on social media. <\/p>\n
Belleris stressed that historical truth and recognition of past crimes are a prerequisite for peace, reconciliation and stability in the region. <\/p>\n
At the same time, he made known that he had received a letter from the Turkish Permanent Mission in Brussels, which, he said, protested the use of the term “genocide”. <\/p>\n
In his post, the MEP noted that a few days ago he received a letter from the Turkish Permanent Delegation in Brussels, protesting against the use of the term “genocide”. <\/p>\n
As he said, the letter also made “historical references”. <\/p>\n
Frentis Beleris replied that, in his view, the extermination of Greeks, Armenians and Assyrians was part of a wider and coordinated policy of persecution and annihilation of Christian populations in the East by the Young Turk regime. <\/p>\n
The MEP of the New Democracy and the EPP stressed that the recognition of the crimes of the past is not only a matter of memory, but also a precondition for peace, reconciliation and stability in the region. <\/p>\n
At the same time, he referred to the Greeks of Pontus, stressing that despite the uprooting and hardships, they kept alive the faith, identity and values of Hellenism. <\/p>\n
As he noted, the Pontians also made a decisive contribution to the progress of modern Greece. <\/p>\n
Frentis Beleris also said that he would work, in his capacity as an MEP, to ensure that the genocide of the Christian populations of Pontus and Asia Minor is not forgotten. <\/p>\n
As he stressed, his goal is to have it recognised in its entirety by the European Parliament, as has happened with the Armenian Genocide. <\/p>\n
“A genocide happens twice: once when it is committed and once when it is forgotten,” he said. <\/p>\n
Closing his post, Frentis Beleris said he will not accept “history lessons and admonition from anyone.” <\/p>\n
“I do not forget the historical truth. It is our duty to honour historical memory so that it never happens again,” he said. <\/p>\n
His remarks came on the occasion of yesterday’s Pontian Genocide Remembrance Day and his reference to the letter from the Turkish Permanent Delegation. <\/p>\n
.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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