FM Dendias: Türkiye should break free from a logic of neo-Ottoman domination

Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias, in an interview on Monday with the radio station Alpha 989, noted that the leadership of the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan did not come to an end, in spite of the predictions of the West, while commenting on the result of Sunday's elections in neighbouring Turkiye.

"We always hope for the best but also prepare for the worst," Dendias underlined.

"The Turkish side has totally changed its rhetoric and has changed its policy recently - and this very welcome - following the visit and the country's behaviour after the earthquakes," the Greek foreign minister added.

Asked about Turkiye's ambitions and the role it wants to play in the region, Dendias said: "What I hope is for Turkiye to understand that it is precisely for those ambitions and the role it wants to play in the region that close and friendly relations with Greece are an important if not essential prerequisite".

"Greece has nothing to lose from a wealthy and stable Turkiye. The issue is for Turkiye to break free from a logic of neo-Ottoman domination."

Referring to the May 21 elections in Greece, he expressed his certainty that New Democracy will win.