NSW Pontian Association Clubs ‘stand united’ with Artsakah and Armenia

·

The Hellenic Pontian Genocide Commemorative Committee of NSW, consisting of three Pontian Association Clubs in NSW, have released a joint-statement declaring their intention to stand by Artsakh and Armenia as they struggle against the aggression of Azerbaijan.

The Committee, which is made up of Pontoxeniteas NSW, Panageia Soumela Sydney and Diogenes Wollongong, send prayers to the Armenian Hellene villagers of Mehmana (Martakert district) in northern Artsakh, which is close to the frontline of the ongoing battle.

READ MORE: Pontian Associations condemn Azerbaijan cease-fire violations as death toll rises to 95

It’s been declared the biggest flare-up in violence between the two former Soviet republics since 2016, with both sides blaming each other for reigniting a three-decade-old territorial dispute over the separatist region.

Armenia accused Azerbaijan of launching an air and artillery attack on the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh.

In this image, distributed by the Armenian government, a building burns after recent shelling during the ongoing fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region, in the city of Stepanakert early on October 4.

In response, Armenia declared martial law and mobilised its male population. Troops shot down two military helicopters and destroyed three tanks, its defence ministry said.

The Federation of Pontian Associations of Australia last week said the strong support from “Turkey’s dictator and human rights violator Erdogan” has allowed Azerbaijani forces to carry out attacks on innocent civilians for days.

The Hellenic Pontian Genocide Commemorative Committee of NSW have called upon the Australian Government to declare its condemnation of the Azeri-Turkish invasion and to publicly demand a ceasefire and peaceful negotiations.

A woman, salvages belongings from a house damaged by shelling by Armenian forces, in a residential area of the city of Ganja, Azerbaijan’s second-largest city, Monday, Oct. 5, 2020.(Unal Cam/DHA via AP)

“The escalation of violence conjures memories of the early stages of the genocide committed against the indigenous Armenian, Assyrian and Hellenic peoples of Anatolia by the Ottoman Empire,” the joint statement says.

“As decedents of genocide survivors of the Pontos region of Anatolia (Asia Minor) we cannot allow history to repeat itself after 100 years.”

Im 1994, there were more than three hundred casualties after four days of fighting, with the two sides announcing they had agreed on a new cease-fire. Over a week since the first shells were launched across the border, it is unknown when the two countries will reorganise a new ceasefire protocol.

Russia has promised to defend Armenia, Turkey has pledged to support Azerbaijan, and Iran has a large Azeri minority, which could escalate a crisis and further complicate efforts to secure peace in the region.

Read the full letter below:

The Hellenic Pontian Genocide Commemorative Committee of NSW, Pontoxeniteas NSW, Panageia Soumela Sydney and Diogenes Wollongong stand united with and to support Artsakh’s and Armenia’s struggles against the aggression of Azerbaijan. Our prayers are especially with the Armenian Hellene villagers of Mehmana (Martakert district) in northern Artsakh, close to the frontline.

The escalation of violence conjures memories of the early stages of the genocide committed against the indigenous Armenian, Assyrian and Hellenic peoples of Anatolia by the Ottoman Empire.

As decedents of genocide survivors of the Pontos region of Anatolia (Asia Minor) we cannot allow history to repeat itself after 100 years.

We pray and hope that the fighting ends and peace restored soon.

The Hellenic Pontian Genocide Commemorative Committee NSW condemns the aggressive
and expansionist agenda of Azerbaijan and Turkey against the indigenous Armenian people of Artsakh and the villagers of Mehmana.

The Committee and its member-associations calls upon the Australian Government to declare
its condemnation of the Azeri-Turkish invasion and to publically demand a ceasefire and peaceful negotiations.

Regards,

Mrs Maria Anthony
President Pontoxeniteas NSW

Mr Peter Papoulidis
President Panagia Soumela Sydney

Nr Nikolaos Chrissostomidis
President Diogenes Wollongong

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Anthony Albanese secures re-election in 2025 Federal Election

Anthony Albanese wins the 2025 Australian federal election, becoming the first PM since 2004 to be re-elected after a full term.

Radioactive Pictures brings ‘The Aegean’ to cinemas nationwide from May 16

Radioactive Pictures is pleased to announce The Aegean is coming to cinemas around the country from 16 May 2025.

Fronditha Care residents find comfort and connection through pet program

Greek seniors in Melbourne’s Fronditha Care homes have experienced a powerful lift in wellbeing thanks to a unique pet therapy program.

Greece and Australia shine in list of world’s best beaches

Greece and Australia have made a splash in the World’s 50 Best Beaches list, with several entries showcasing their coastal beauty.

Greece faces sharp population decline and ageing crisis by 2050

The 20–64 group will shrink by about 1.7 million, mainly due to falling fertility rates across generations and a steady decline in births.

You May Also Like

Courtney Houssos MLC probes Service NSW over alleged $16m of fraudulent grants

Courtney Houssos MLC questioned why Service NSW has only recovered $40,000 of a suspected $16 million handed out in fraudulent grants.

Greek athletes win gold medals at the World Transplant Games in Perth

Greece's table tennis team will return with top honours from Western Australia after claiming gold medals in the 2023 World Transplant Games.

Elia Venezis: One of Greece’s most famous novelists

Elias Venezis was a Greek novelist and one of the most important of the literary generation of 1930. He passed away on this day in 1973.