MOSCOW (Sputnik) — On Monday, Pavlopoulos stated that Greece would continue fighting for the recognition of the mass murder of Pontic Greeks by Turkey during World War I, as well as demanding a "sincere" apology from Turkey for the ethnic cleansing. The president also condemned Turkey's decision to close the Greek Orthodox Sumela Monastery in eastern Turkey for access on the Dormition of the Mother of God Orthodox holiday.
"The statement of the Greek President Pavlopoulos…is a demagogy, far from goodwill and responsible statesmanship," the ministry said in a statement.
The term "genocide" is being used by for political leverage by Greece, the statement said, stressing that such a move is counterproductive to cooperation between the two countries.
The Pontic Genocide took place between 1913 and 1923. Around 350,000 people were killed by Turkish troops.
