Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias’ remarks with the ACTION 24 TV channel show “Piso apo tis grammes” and journalists G. Pierros, E. Kalogeropoulou, and D. Takis (11.05.2023)

G. PIERROS: Minister, starting with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which was one of the main topics yesterday, I noticed that when Mr. Tsipras was asked about the continuity in the country’s foreign policy, despite the differences between the two major parties, your party, and the opposition, he also talked about the continuity of this foreign policy. Does that satisfy you? Do you believe that foreign policy will continue to be pursued in the same way regardless of who is in power? […]

N. DENDIAS: […] I’d like to say that as regards our foreign policy, I believe we have managed, in general, to get a significant part of the political system and a very significant part of Greek society to perceive things in roughly the same way.

I’m not claiming that there are no differences or that there are no significant differences. I’m saying though that there are clear national policy lines. And this is something very important for both our society and our country.

I constantly stress that we are a small country in size in a very dangerous spot. There should be a mutual understanding of the challenges. It would be quite difficult to move forward if each of us interprets things in a completely separate and different way.

Let me also share something from my personal experience. During the tenure of this government, some 320 international agreements were signed. That’s an unprecedented number. It’s one thing to negotiate when the person on the opposite side knows that the policy will be maintained and it’s quite another when he knows that two years later another Minister will come along and say the exact opposite of what you’re saying.

G. PIERROS: Yes, that’s very important.

[…]

Ε. KALOGEROPOULOU.  Let us ask the Minister about the elections in Türkiye. Do you expect anything to change?

N. DENDIAS: First of all, I am not entitled to comment; we all understand that. It would be a major mistake for our country to have an opinion on these issues. It’s the Turkish society that will decide.

Of course, I’m aware of the opinion polls. If you ask me, I’d say that I would be cautious to predict whether President Erdogan will lose the election. I’m not saying it’s out of the question. I’m just suggesting I would be more cautious than the polls suggest.  Furthermore, I believe that too much of the Western press reporting might be having a reverse impact inside Türkiye. They’re probably instilling sympathy for President Erdogan.

G. PIERROS: Is there a reason… Obviously, I’m not asking for specifics, but do we, as a country have a reason to have a preference?

N. DENDIAS: By analyzing the positions of each political party and bloc, we could probably come to some conclusions. We lack, however, the legitimacy to express them publicly.

G. PIERROS: That’s right. And should we be very cautious, Minister?

N. DENDIAS: Do you mean…?

G. PIERROS: With Türkiye. I’m saying that because currently we’re supposed to be going through a calmer period.

N. DENDIAS: We should take advantage of this period and when a Turkish government is elected, in case – and I’m not naive – in case there’s a small window of opportunity.

G. PIERROS: […] I’d like to thank the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Nikos Dendias, very much.

N. DENDIAS: Thank you very much, all the best.