Greece reaffirmed its unwavering support for Armenia during a commemorative event marking the Armenian Genocide, with Nikos Dendias declaring that Greece “stands and will always stand by Armenia.”
Dendias delivered the address at an event held at the Athens Conservatoire, organised by the Armenian National Committee of Greece in cooperation with the Region of Attica. The event marked 111 years since the Armenian Genocide and 30 years since its recognition by the Greek Parliament.
Representing the Greek government, Dendias described the anniversary as a moment of collective memory and responsibility, emphasising that the systematic extermination of the Armenian people began on April 24, 1915, under the leadership of the Young Turks. He highlighted the arrests of intellectuals, clergy and community leaders in Constantinople as the starting point of the atrocities.
He also referenced earlier genocidal acts, including those in Namibia, and pointed to the historical involvement and awareness of German officials within the Ottoman military structure at the time. He noted that modern Germany had since recognised the Armenian Genocide and expressed regret for its historical role.
Dendias stressed that the events constituted a fully organised state plan of extermination, underscoring that such actions met the definition of genocide under modern scientific and historical standards. He warned that failure to condemn such crimes in time had allowed subsequent atrocities, including the Holocaust and the Rwandan genocide.
Highlighting the historical ties between Greeks and Armenians, he noted that Greece welcomed tens of thousands of Armenian refugees following the genocide and the Asia Minor Catastrophe. He stated that the Armenian community in Greece had since flourished and remained an integral part of society.
Dendias also paid tribute to Apostolos Kaklamanis, under whose leadership the Greek Parliament officially recognised April 24 as a day of remembrance. He described this recognition as an act of truth, dignity and respect for the victims.
He concluded by stressing that Greece continued to stand by the Armenian people with solidarity, historical awareness and a sense of responsibility, honouring the victims and recognising the resilience of a nation that endured and rebuilt.
The event was attended by political figures, military officials, clergy and representatives of the Armenian community in Greece, reflecting the enduring ties between the two nations.
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