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ALTERNATE FM XENOGIANNAKOPOULOU ADDRESSES PARLIAMENT ON PONTIAN GENOCIDE DAY (19 MAY 2011)
http://www.mfa.gr/www.mfa.gr/Articles/en-US/190511_F1827.htm
Athens , 19 May 2011
Alternate Foreign Minister Mariliza Xenogiannakopoulou stressed
the following in Parliament in reply to a question from Popular
Orthodox Rally MP Alexandros Chrysanthopoulos on Pontian Genocide
Remembrance Day:
"Today, 19 May, we honour, with respect and deep emotion, the memory
of the victims of the genocide of Black Sea Hellenism. As in other
years, we fulfil a moral, historical and national duty regarding
this genocide, which, from 1916 to 1923, led to the extermination
of over 353,000 officially registered Greeks of the Black Sea. The
Hellenic Parliament, under Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou, decided
unanimously on 24 February 1994 to officially recognized 19 May as a
day of national remembrance for the victims of the genocide of Black
Sea Greeks, with the Greek state and global Hellenism honouring them
and pointing up this historical truth. Black Sea Hellenism - despite
the great tragedy it suffered, despite the trials it underwent as
refugees and the dramatic memories, whether here in Greece or abroad
- has been and is a creative force for development and progress,
concurrently keeping alive its traditions and proud history.
Historical memory is critical to our national consciousness,
self-knowledge and the education of the younger generation here in our
homeland. Our country, without any fear syndrome, is systematically
pursuing the recognition and promotion of historical truth. The
building of relations based on the principles of peace, international
law and good neighbourliness has always been a main point of reference
in the shaping of our foreign policy. This is feasible only if
historical truth prevails, along with the maintaining of historical
awareness of the major events and turning points in our history.
Within this framework, I want to assure you that the government is
not passing up on any political or diplomatic option. It is developing
initiatives and supporting anything that points up historical truth.
As you also referred to the European Parliament, I want to relate
to you a personal experience of mine: During my tenure as an MEP,
the Greek MEPs of all the parties fought together to have the Pontian
and Armenian genocides set down in the resolutions of the European
Parliament."
http://www.mfa.gr/www.mfa.gr/Articles/en-US/190511_F1827.htm
Athens , 19 May 2011
Alternate Foreign Minister Mariliza Xenogiannakopoulou stressed
the following in Parliament in reply to a question from Popular
Orthodox Rally MP Alexandros Chrysanthopoulos on Pontian Genocide
Remembrance Day:
"Today, 19 May, we honour, with respect and deep emotion, the memory
of the victims of the genocide of Black Sea Hellenism. As in other
years, we fulfil a moral, historical and national duty regarding
this genocide, which, from 1916 to 1923, led to the extermination
of over 353,000 officially registered Greeks of the Black Sea. The
Hellenic Parliament, under Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou, decided
unanimously on 24 February 1994 to officially recognized 19 May as a
day of national remembrance for the victims of the genocide of Black
Sea Greeks, with the Greek state and global Hellenism honouring them
and pointing up this historical truth. Black Sea Hellenism - despite
the great tragedy it suffered, despite the trials it underwent as
refugees and the dramatic memories, whether here in Greece or abroad
- has been and is a creative force for development and progress,
concurrently keeping alive its traditions and proud history.
Historical memory is critical to our national consciousness,
self-knowledge and the education of the younger generation here in our
homeland. Our country, without any fear syndrome, is systematically
pursuing the recognition and promotion of historical truth. The
building of relations based on the principles of peace, international
law and good neighbourliness has always been a main point of reference
in the shaping of our foreign policy. This is feasible only if
historical truth prevails, along with the maintaining of historical
awareness of the major events and turning points in our history.
Within this framework, I want to assure you that the government is
not passing up on any political or diplomatic option. It is developing
initiatives and supporting anything that points up historical truth.
As you also referred to the European Parliament, I want to relate
to you a personal experience of mine: During my tenure as an MEP,
the Greek MEPs of all the parties fought together to have the Pontian
and Armenian genocides set down in the resolutions of the European
Parliament."