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C. KORAI: Minister, I'd like to begin with Türkiye, the elections that will be held on Sunday, Erdogan or Kilicdaroglu, Erdogan or the "Alliance of Six." Can you predict what will occur on Sunday based on your experience, and what we can expect after that?
N. DENDIAS: It is certain that this election is not similar to the previous ones for President Erdogan and the AKP. They are under pressure in terms of opinion polls, to put it mildly. It's a very difficult election.
Aside from that, I wouldn’t "write off" the AKP; it is a well-known efficient electoral machine, and President Erdogan is a man who, whatever one's opinion of him and what he has said during his intense rivalry with our country, has a specific influence in Turkish society.
C. KORAI: A significant one, as well, I bet.
N. DENDIAS: It's a close election and I believe it would be too early to predict what will occur. In any case, the Greek government will attempt to come to an understanding with whichever government the Turkish people choose.
C. KORAI: Yesterday, the State Department spokesperson said that the only wish of the US is to have free and fair elections based on a democratic process. Was that a message? In other words, I see that the same concern is expressed, in maybe even stronger terms, in some European media, which raise the question of possible fraud.
Do we, as Greek government, raise such questions?
N. DENDIAS: First of all, you are kind enough. The language used in the European press has been significantly rougher.
C. KORAI: To put it mildly. The German and the British press do the same as well.
N. DENDIAS: We are a member state of the European Union with certain standards and certain positions in international affairs.
We believe in democracy, we believe in human rights, we believe in the Rule of Law. As a result, we would like to see all the countries with which we collaborate, whether as Greece or as the European Union, to be on this level. Or as close to this level as possible.
So, we would like society in Türkiye to have an opportunity to freely express its will. That’s what we, and all of our European allies and friends, are saying. The standards of the Turkish elections are not a bilateral issue between Greece and Türkiye.
D. TAKIS: Minister, may I ask you a question? Kilicdaroglu said yesterday that if elected he will make a U-turn in foreign policy and Türkiye will live in peace and calm with all the neighbouring countries.
Do you believe that there can really be such a dramatic shift in Türkiye's relations with its neighbours? Is this something that was imposed on Kilicdaroglu and does it help him? Is it sincere and how do you interpret it?
N. DENDIAS: It is positive. The fact that is stated is positive anyway.
D. TAKIS: Yes, obviously.
N. DENDIAS: We have to be clear. And, indeed, it is even more positive when it is said close to a date when society will express itself, because it sends out a two-sided message.
It is obvious that he receives such messages from his electorate. Otherwise, if it was unpopular, he would not do it. I don't believe it's a sign of immense political bravery; it's evident that he believes it would benefit him. So, I'm very happy to hear it, for one reason or another.
Looking back, the only thing I would like to note is that I haven't seen such statements or positions from him or some of the "Alliance of Six" parties in the past, in tempore non suspecto.
D. TAKIS: So, given what you are saying, the fact that it has been stated makes it more significant, doesn’t it?
N. DENDIAS: What is said is very important. It does not mean that the issue is resolved. First of all, this comes from a political party and a current of thought which have led Greek-Turkish relations to major crises in the past. The invasion of Cyprus took place during their leadership. You know, these things are not forgotten, right? And no one has renounced all this past or, in any case, has put it into question - even intellectually - whether what occurred then was right or wrong.
And secondly, during the most recent period of tension, when President Erdogan was saying what he was saying, his current electoral rival did not come out to tell him: "what are you saying?" He told him that what he was saying was right, but he didn’t do anything about it.
C. KORAI: Exactly. So, I believe we'll have to wait and see what happens the next day.
N. DENDIAS: So, we should “hold a tiny basket” as always. We should be very cautious and “hold a small basket”. Yes, we should be always ready to engage in dialogue, but our expectations should always be realistic.
D. TAKIS: I heard you saying yesterday that you are not in favour of the policy of appeasement in the Aegean and I heard Kostas Karamanlis talking about the "Prespa of the Aegean" and saying…
C. KORAI: Antonis Samaras said so as well.
D. TAKIS: And Antonis Samaras saying...
N. DENDIAS: Yes, I believe it was Antonis Samaras who said that.
C. KORAI: That’s right.
D. TAKIS: … saying no to sharing the Aegean.
N. DENDIAS: I don't believe there is a current of thought in Greece, regardless of party-political affiliation, that is in favour of sharing. Greece does not subscribe to this oriental bargaining of "sharing", you know. Greece is saying something clear, simple, understandable, honest: What is International Law? That’s International Law: we adhere to it and the rights provided for everyone.
D. TAKIS: But both former Prime Ministers talked about pressures from the European Union that might come following the elections. Do you see anything like that?
C. KORAI: Have you also been under such pressure in the four years, Minister?
N. DENDIAS: I will tell you, there are different countries and different people around the world who would wish for different things. That does not mean that anyone will jeopardise the national interest or be driven handcuffed under foreign dictates.
These things, I believe, have been resolved long ago in the minds of all of us. I think all of us -and I am referring to the political class- understand very well that there are no things that we can cede because they do not belong to us. The Constitution has specific requirements.
So, I think that what is being said is well said, both by former Prime Ministers and by Kyriakos Mitsotakis -especially when addressed to foreign audiences- so that they do not believe -if there was such an intention, which I doubt it- that after the elections, the country could be led into a negotiation on terms that would be not in accordance with international law.
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C. KORAI: Minister, thank you very much, I wish you every success.
N. DENDIAS: Thank you very much. All the best. Have a nice day.
May 10, 2023