Greece and Türkiye Clash Over Asia Minor Remembrance

Greece and Türkiye Clash Over Asia Minor Remembrance

Greece and Türkiye have exchanged statements over the commemoration and historical interpretation of events in Asia Minor and Smyrna in 1922.

Greece marks 14 September as a national day of remembrance for the victims of what Greek authorities officially describe as the genocide of Greeks in Asia Minor. The date coincides with the anniversary of the Great Fire of Smyrna in 1922.

Greece Commemorates the Victims

In a statement issued on 14 September, the Greek Foreign Ministry said that Asia Minor Greeks had been violently displaced from their ancestral communities after centuries of presence in the region, with the destruction of Smyrna described as a defining moment of the period.

Greece says preserving historical memory is a responsibility to those who lost their lives or were displaced, as well as to future generations.

The Greek Parliament formally recognised the genocide of Greeks in Asia Minor in 1998 and established 14 September as an annual national day of remembrance.

Türkiye Rejects Greece’s Interpretation

Türkiye rejected the Greek statement as “unfounded” and disputed its description of the historical events.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry said that Greece had attempted to occupy and invade Anatolia during the period and accused Greek forces of massacres and destruction against the civilian population in Anatolia.

Ankara also referred to Article 59 of the Lausanne Peace Treaty, stating that Greece had acknowledged certain acts and agreed to compensation under the treaty.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry called on Greek officials to approach the issue with responsibility and common sense.

A Disputed Chapter of History

The exchange reflects the continuing disagreement between Greece and Türkiye over the interpretation of the events surrounding the Greco-Turkish War of 1919–1922, the population displacement that followed and the destruction of Smyrna.

While Greece officially commemorates the period as the genocide and displacement of Asia Minor Greeks, Türkiye presents a different historical interpretation, emphasising the Greek military campaign in Anatolia and violence committed against the Turkish civilian population.

The issue remains particularly sensitive in relations between the two neighbouring countries, where historical memory continues to influence public debate and political statements.

Important: The descriptions of the events remain politically and historically disputed. This article presents the official positions expressed by Greece and Türkiye without taking a position on the historical interpretation.