Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias’ statement during his visit to the Ministry of Interior (’Sector Macedonia Thrace) (Thessaloniki, 15.02.2023)

Good evening,

It is a great pleasure and honour to be here in Macedonia, in Thessaloniki. I would like to thank my good old friend and colleague, Minister Kalafatis, from the bottom of my heart for his warm welcome.

As he stated, I had the opportunity to brief him on my recent trip to Türkiye, the devastating earthquakes, and the aid that our country is organising to send to Türkiye and Syria to alleviate human suffering.

Aside from that, we discussed Macedonia and Thrace’s enormous geopolitical significance. We also talked about the effort that the Government is making to upgrade the geopolitical role of this highly important region. I would like to tell you that it is always a great pleasure for me to be in Macedonia and especially in Thessaloniki.

Thank you very much.

QUESTION: May I ask you something? Do you know if this improvement in relations with Türkiye, which has occurred since the earthquake, will it last or will it be something that will disappear?

N. DENDIAS: I will be honest with you. I do not want to associate in any way the assistance that the Greek Government, the Greek people, and Greek society – I have to say unanimously – provide to the suffering fellow human beings beyond the Aegean Sea, whether in Türkiye or in Syria, with any geopolitical footprint, with any effort or with any dispute. They are different things. The Greek people and Greek society with this behavior demonstrate the ethos that they have, and we must stay there. Thank you very much.