For a true friendship and good neighborly relations with Greece, Turkiye needs to recognize the Genocide of Pontian Greeks, SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance leader Stefanos Kasselakis said on Sunday in Thessaloniki, where he is touring.

The main opposition leader lay a wreath at the memorial for the victims of the Genocide at the Agia Sofia Square. In statements there, he said, "The recognition by the international community of the Genocide against the Pontian Greeks is very delayed, especially by our neighboring country. In my opinion, there cannot be a true, substantial, and deep relationship of friendship and good neigbhorliness without contemporary Turkiye recognizing this crime."

Kasselakis also said he would promote this issue abroad, as he would World War II reparations by Germany, and also referred to the issue of protecting Christian monuments in Turkiye.

In Thessaloniki, Kasselakis paid a visit to the International Book Fair and met with Pontian Greek associations, among other meetings he had.