Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias’ statement to journalists during his visit to Türkiye (Antakya, 12.02.2023)

First and of all, I would like to convey to Turkey’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, my friend Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, to the Turkish Government, and the Turkish people, the Mitsotakis Government and the entire Greek people’s most heartfelt condolences for the thousands of deaths of our fellow human beings following the two devastating earthquakes.

I would also like to thank Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu for his very warm words regarding the Greek rescuers’ efforts and our presence here.

We are particularly happy for the human lives saved by the Greek rescuers who have been operating here in Turkey, as well as for the very many lives saved by the European rescuers, as we had the opportunity, to visit the Austrian, Dutch and Icelandic rescuers together with Mr Çavuşoğlu.  According to what we were told, 205 lives were saved by European rescue teams, including the Greek one.

But I would like to emphasize that Greece’s efforts to assist the Turkish people and society in overcoming this great blow do not end here. I have been instructed by my Prime Minister, Mr Mitsotakis, to assure Turkey that Greece will do everything possible to support it at this difficult time, either bilaterally or in the context of its membership in the European Union.

Aside from that, I would like to fully endorse Mevlüt’s earlier statement that there is no need to wait for natural disasters to occur to improve our relations.

In conclusion, I would like to express my admiration for my compatriots, the rescuers who have helped Turkish society and the Turkish people in this difficult time.  I warmly thank Mevlüt and the Turkish government as well for their warm welcome at this very difficult time for them.