1. The place names of the offensive, capture and defeat that led to the Holocaust are well known in Asia Minor. After all, we are reminded of them by painful family memories in the refugee settlements, precious relics, preserved shrines, books and scrapbooks. Along with a vague sense of the historical “missed opportunity”, identified with the “lost homeland”.

2. Can’t wait to read the inserts of the centenary “Kathimerini”. Exactly 100 years since the decisive battle between the Greek and Turkish troops at Afion Karahisar (Akroinon or Nikopolis). The defeat of the Greek troops—in fact, the first clear victory of the Kemalist counterattack—caused the collapse of the front, a disorganized retreat, and destruction. Every day famous historians explain, analyze, reveal. They interpret the political, diplomatic and military reasons that have weakened the position, cohesion and potential of Greece. Basically weakness (lack of strength) to make the right political and military decisions. Today, as disagreements still rage over specific military plans, political decisions, the diplomatic maneuvers of the time, and the characters and suitability of individuals, we all, or almost all, agree on one thing. The division and political passions, then poured into the army, were the source and basis of Destruction. Of course, the claim that the study of history is of great value if it teaches us is not evidence of wisdom or insight. This is, or rather should be, a highly anticipated release. Unfortunately, she is not the only one in the glorious Greek race. It may not even be dominant.

3. I want to write about the debates in Parliament. But I started back. Hearing on a radio newscast that President Erdogan will now celebrate the centenary of Turkey’s victory and Greece’s defeat in Afyon Karahisar. I cannot predict how it will be expressed. Kemalism is perhaps the main political opponent of Erdoganism. The President of Turkey is passionately eradicating it constitutionally, institutionally, politically and culturally. While continuing the practice of ethnic cleansing and insulting Christian religious monuments and cults.

4. What world does he live in? Illusions are incompatible with politics. Such, I feel, were the thoughts of perhaps the majority who bothered to look through my article in “K” of August 14-15 “In Search of Moderation: Politics and Security”, proposing, among other things, the convening of a Council of Political Leaders with a multi-topic agenda. On the occasion of the debates in Parliament, I am returning. It is necessary to activate now the necessary and necessary precautions in an atmosphere heavily marred by political conflict. Let the “politics of the four Cs” prevail: Prudence, Consensus, Consensus, Synergy.

Let moderation and balance prevail so that political confrontation does not lead to the deployment of institutions designed to protect our national security.

The arrogance, political and personal, “appearing” on social media is incompatible with the historical challenges and threats that we face in Europe at this time. The foundations of social cohesion are also tottering. In addition, Greece is a target of destabilization and is under attack from Turkey’s militarized revisionism. Turkey’s efforts have already shown up in the failed hybrid attack on Evros in March 2020 and are ongoing. But today we are also a target of the Kremlin. The greatest gift we could offer today to the authoritarian regimes of mainly Ankara, but also Moscow, is the image of a country stuck in party trenches. Greece is strong defensively, with good economic performance, resilience and unprecedented democratic stability. However, political agreement, a key power multiplier, remains a challenge.

5. Let the debate in Parliament expose political errors where they are. Let’s also propose institutional measures to correct existing bad texts. Let moderation and balance prevail simultaneously so that political confrontation does not lead to the deployment of institutions designed to protect our national security. However, first of all, let’s avoid fireworks, which always go out after a short flash.

* Mr. Alexandros P. Mallias is the Honorary Ambassador.