“Mitsotakis received a huge vote of confidence from the Greek society, there is no doubt about that and even after a period of crises and doubts”, noted the Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendiasin an interview with the TV station ANT1.

“Here it was clearly seen that the Greek society wants the Mitsotakis to remain Prime Minister. Greek society was drafted with the proposal of Mitsotakis and New Democracy,” he said.

“For us,” he emphasized, “the challenge is not to show the slightest thing arrogance. Obviously, there are different perceptions within the New Republic” and he added: “There is a perception that says we should reach 180 and from there we can change the constitution as well, to change the state of the country as a whole. I would very much subscribe more modest perception. To keep a very good percentage, to have a second four-year term, a continuation of the first, and to be able to lead the country to a better European tomorrow”.

He pointed out that “there is always the trap of arrogance. There are not many moments in life when a party after 4 years of government increases its percentage”, to underline: “We have a very long genetic material that gives us the sense of responsibility and seriousness that will allow us to manage it adequately and with modesty. I do not consider that I have 40% in my pocket. It’s all from the beginning.”

“It is clear that there is a part of society that wants to protest”, however, as he said: “Greek society decided that of the options it had, we were the best and safest”.

Referring to result of the Turkish electionpointed out that the Foreign Ministry felt vindicated.

“I was talking to all my colleagues and I told them don’t look at the measurements in Turkey”, he noted and repeated that “Greece will always be ready to respond to the hand of friendship that the Turkish leadership chosen by the Turkish society will judge”.

“I am not ready to buy the narrative of the absolute pro-Western and pro-Greek character of the Republican party. Can you remember which party was in power when Cyprus was invaded?” reminded the foreign minister.

Asked about the continuation of the detention of the mayor of Heimarra, Freddy Beleris, he noted: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the extension of the detention offends the rule of law and the European acquis. I sat in the Council of Foreign Ministers behind closed doors, met my Albanian counterpart and told her what we all understand I had to say. We don’t want to embarrass anyone. But, on the other hand, it is not the Greek government, but the EU that is going to tolerate violations of the rule of law.”

“It’s a shame because Greek-Albanian relations have made enormous progress,” he said and concluded: “I don’t want to say anything that constitutes a threat. I assure you, on the other hand, it was said that it had to be said, where it had to be said, in the way it had to be said.”