Dendias: Fidan's statements on Greece are unacceptable

The Minister of National Defence, Nikos Dendias, responded to the statements of the Turkish Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, calling them unacceptable and inappropriate. Mr. Dendias, who is in Copenhagen for the Informal Meeting of EU Defence Ministers, stated that Mr. Fidan's statements violate the principle of non-interference in the internal politics of other countries.

Mr. Fidan's statements were made in an interview with the television network TGRT HABER, where he claimed that Greek politicians use Turkey as a 'political aspirin' and cultivate anti-Turkish sentiment for political gain.

In response, Mr. Dendias stated: 'I am particularly sorry for Fidan's statements, which I have been informed about. Beyond being completely unacceptable and inappropriate, they violate a principle known even to first-year diplomats: the principle of non-interference in the internal politics of other countries. So I sincerely regret that this path was chosen.'

Previously, responses to Fidan's statements had been given by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Giorgos Gerapetritis, and the government spokesperson, Pavlos Marinakis. Mr. Gerapetritis stressed that Greece does not accept dictates and seeks good neighborly relations, while Mr. Marinakis stressed that Greece is a sovereign state that respects international law.