JOURNALIST: […] Athens does not have high expectations or if you like, is realistic, about whether the neighboring country's foreign policy can change the day following the elections. However, there is a clash of two worlds. We witnessed what occurred at the conclusion of the election campaign. One candidate went to Kemal's Mausoleum, and the other one went to Hagia Sophia. The one is against Putin, the other is against Biden. There are two different philosophies.
N. DENDIAS: Allow me to tell you, I wouldn't "buy" this very easily. Nor would I take into account the two candidates’ latest campaign choices.
Of course, since I still serve as the country's Minister of Foreign Affairs, I have no right to express a preference or to suggest anything, even indirectly, as possible interest for the Greek side.
We will have to come to an understanding with whichever government emerges from the Turkish people’s will. However, I reiterate that while the most recent Western-style slogans of the Turkish opposition sound fine, one should be aware and follow the Republican Party’s past particularly following Kemal's death. That is during Inonu's leadership and afterwards.
Let me underline one thing: the invasion of Cyprus took place under the leadership of Ecevit, who came from that party. On the other hand, President Erdogan is clearly attempting to attract Türkiye's religious audience. Very many actions have shown this. We have condemned unequivocally the conversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque, there is no question about that, but based solely on his visit there, I would not conclude that we are dealing with two different worlds.
But we are certainly dealing with two different tactics.
JOURNALIST: However, after the – let’s call it - electoral moratorium, is it possible to be drawn back to the prior situation? The previous one? The not-so-old, I mean.
N. DENDIAS: Unfortunately, it's not very old. What did this moratorium give us? It has provided us with a window of opportunity which - if the governments that emerge following the elections in both countries, with fresh political capital, really have the will - can be turned into a "door" for resolving our dispute.
But, once again, if I had to speculate, I would not tell you that this is the prevailing possibility. But we have to try. That is my view, I have stated it publicly, and thank you for giving me the opportunity to reiterate it now.
JOURNALIST: Mr. Dendias, the other open issue that we have, is the Beleri case in Himare. Imagine all this within 48 hours. Kyriakos Mitsotakis stated today that we will not tolerate such behaviour against the Diaspora. What does this mean in practice?
N. DENDIAS: It means that we demand that the neighbouring country adheres to the principles of Law, it is simple. We are not asking anyone to break the law and we are not asking for a distinct treatment for a member of the Greek national minority, let alone a mayoral candidate.
On the other hand, we cannot but be completely surprised, by Mr. Beleri’s arrest 48 hours before the elections. And I have to say that if it is not based on absolutely irrefutable evidence, then this constitutes an unprecedented scandal.
The only positive thing is that exactly this wording, about a scandal, if there is no irrefutable evidence, was repeated by the Albanian Prime Minister.
The Greek government is closely monitoring this case, through the Embassy and the Ambassador there. The Ambassador was outside the court, as this was a secret process, and no public was allowed to be present during the examination.
We have special legal representatives, who are monitoring and advising us on the procedure’s development. I have already informed the EU High Representative, the Swedish Presidency, and the Swedish Foreign Minister. We are not going to make any discounts on this.
I reiterate that we are talking about the Rule of Law, not about anything else. So, Albania - which, in fact, wants to come closer to the European project and at some point, join the European family, something we are encouraging – must obviously respect the Rule of Law.
May 15, 2023