In a ceasefire in the Sudan in order to carry out an operation to evacuate the Greeks who are in Khartoum, the Minister of Foreign Affairs expects Nikos Dendias. In an extensive interview with Alpha, Nikos Dendias outlined the situation in Sudan as extremely difficult, and assured that Greece is monitoring it very closely, as well as that it is in constant contact with the Greeks in this African country. “It doesn’t look like there will be any peace. We’re looking for a window of opportunity to get our people out of there. But we are monitoring it very closely,” he emphasized. He mentioned that there are two wounded Greeks in the hospital, who have not been able to undergo surgery and are on painkillers.

As for the situation in Sudan, he estimated that it will take a long time as the two warring factions have strong forces at the moment. However, he was quick to point out that this did not mean there could not be a truce that would allow at least foreign nationals to leave Khartoum.

In fact, today the Minister of Foreign Affairs had a telephone conversation with the Greek ambassador in Egypt and with his Egyptian counterpart on this issue Sameh Shukri. From the Greek ambassador, Nikos Dendias requested the continuation of constant communication with the Greeks who are there, as well as with the EU delegation in Khartoum, in order to have the optimal coordination for security and the provision of the maximum possible assistance to them there Greek expatriates. He noted that the Greek ambassador is in constant contact with Metropolitan Savvas of Nubia. Regarding his communication with the Egyptian Foreign Minister, Nikos Dendias pointed out Greece’s strong interest in the developments in the country, in the context of the presence of the Greek diaspora and the need to provide assistance to it. Also, during the conversation, the possible cooperation in a possible liberation operation, including the Greek expatriates, as soon as the conditions allow, the need for an immediate armistice, the observance of the principle of non-interference of third parties in the internal affairs of the states were discussed. Greece is also in contact with France, which has the leading role of the EU in Sudan.

Further, when asked about Turkey’s rhetoric in the run-up to the Turkish elections, the Foreign Minister replied that amid intense pre-election activity in the neighboring country, it is obvious that things will be heard, things will be said, maximalist views will be put on the table, and suggested the need for Greece to keep calm and wait for the government that will express the Turkish society after the elections, to position itself on a good climate that allows a serious dialogue about our difference.

Answering the question if he is afraid of a period of instability in Greek-Turkish, Nikos Dendias said that “the great gain of the improvement of the climate is precisely that we are not afraid of this period”.

Regarding the internal politics ahead of the elections, he said that “we want to be self-sufficient from the first ballot” and regarding the possibility of collaborations he highlighted: “We have a proposal. Our proposal includes electoral law, party, prime minister. The electoral law is the enhanced proportionality. The party is the ND. Prime Minister is the current Prime Minister. We submit this proposal as a package to Greek society. This is our view of the interest of the place. Greek society is our boss, it will decide what it wants, what it doesn’t want, where it places us.”

With reference to the consensus of the parties on foreign policy issues, Nikos Dendias pointed out that the government and he sought and to a certain extent achieved it during these years. “In the broad lines of foreign policy, and this is due to the recognition of the role of the opposition parties, we managed to have an agreement, to have low tones” he noted and hastened to add: “Agreement does not mean the non-existence of a one-party government. It means a certain behavior of the one-party government.”

Finally, to a question about the amendment that blocks the Kasidiari party, he said that the stake is that there is no political expression of neo-Nazi formation in Greek political life. “This is what all weighting should serve. Consequently, my perception was that the entire political world should vote for the amendment” he underlined.