JOURNALIST: How do you read the result of the presidential and parliamentary elections in Türkiye last Sunday? What message do you wish to send to our neighboring country’s next president?
N. DENDIAS: Right now, it seems that President Erdoğan has a high chance of being re-elected in the second round. It is very likely that there will be no regime change, so the status quo will be maintained. It is undoubtedly a complex equation and making any safe predictions is not easy, as the way in which the balance of power in Türkiye will ultimately shape up following the 28 May election remains to be seen. What is certain, however, is that the new President of Türkiye - whoever he may be - will have to face a number of challenges. We will wait for the election results, as we have stated numerous times; As observers, we cannot take sides. However, our desire is to work with the next government. We are ready to engage in talks with whichever government emerges, provided that a low profile is maintained and threatening rhetoric does not return.
Let me say that it is not for me to send a message to the next President of Türkiye. As Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has underscored, his intention is to "extend a hand of friendship" to the winner of the upcoming Turkish elections, while expressing the hope that the next government to be formed in the neighbouring country will "reconsider its approach towards the West". Following the earthquakes, we are going through a period of de-escalation of tension. Whether this de-escalation turns into a more stable period of recession will be determined by Türkiye’s attitude in the near future. As I have stated several times, a window of opportunity has opened, which we must seize.
JOURNALIST: The referral to the Hague of the issue of the delimitation of the EEZ with Albania is being delayed and the neighbouring government appears to be playing political games with the Greek National minority. What should the government's future policy line towards Albania be?
N. DENDIAS: First of all, I am very happy for the election of Beleri and I’d like to reiterate what Prime Minister Rama said: arresting him is a major scandal unless there is irrefutable evidence against him. I want to be clear. The decision to detain him has completely overturned the rules of equality in the municipal elections in Himare, a major centre of the Greek National minority in Albania.
Such a decision has implications for the European Union's relations with Albania as well, as adherence to European rules and the principles of the Rule of Law is a prerequisite for candidate countries’ European course. Therefore, Albania, which indeed aspires to come closer to the European project and eventually join the European family, which we encourage, should of course respect the Rule of Law.
JOURNALIST: What are the primary but realistic goals of Greek foreign policy for the next four years?
N. DENDIAS: Our foreign policy objectives in the near and distant future will continue to be based on the well-known solid foundations. Namely, respect for the United Nations Charter, International Law and the International Law of the Sea, the protection of human rights, particularly those of women and children, and the protection of the environment. Greek foreign policy will continue and will further promote a strategy with targeted actions, self-confidence and open horizons, aiming to maximize the country's geopolitical footprint on the international stage. This includes, among other things, the Greek candidacy as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2025-2026 term, which is a concrete example of Greece's commitment to the promotion of multilateralism on the basis of International Law. There are, furthermore, Greece's candidacies to the other two key UN bodies, the Human Rights Council (2028-2030) and the Presidency of the General Assembly (2035-2036), both a first in our history. An equally important, but entirely realistic objective is to strengthen the existing framework of alliances, agreements, understandings and common perceptions with countries such as Italy, Egypt, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, France and Israel, to name a few, which - dare I say - has created a new reality in the region. Lastly, I would like to emphasize the importance of maintaining the acquis of national cooperation, or at least national understanding, on foreign policy issues, as it is critical to achieving any other objective.
May 20, 2023