For the Mitsotakis-Blinken meeting in Chania and Greek-Turkish relations, as well as about Stefanos Kasselakis and the statements about his ministerial appointment, the director of the press office of the prime minister, Dimitris Tsiodras, spoke on ERT television. “Yesterday’s statement by the US Secretary of State, which speaks of Greece’s leading role in the region, is extremely important. It is something that is not said easily and it is certainly not said as we understand “lightly on the heart”. It is said because Greece over the years has mastered this role, it has really played a leading role in the region. It is a pillar of stability and this is due to the policy that Kyriakos Mitsotakis has followed”, emphasized Mr. Tsiodras.

“You showed two pictures before: a picture of Erdogan with Blinken in Turkey and a picture of Mitsotakis with Blinken in Chania. I think the contrast between the two images also shows the climate of the meetings on one side and the other”, noted Mr. Tsiodras and added that “before we go to the decisions that the USA will make in the next period, it is enough to remember that in 2019 Turkey they were in the F-35 program and we were trying to upgrade the F-16. Today we are close to entering the F-35 program, and Turkey is trying to acquire F-16. In other words, to see what we have achieved all these years, which was by no means self-evident.”

“In relation to the decisions that will be made in the next period, we have made the request, as you know, for our inclusion in the F-35. We expect positive news in the next period in this regard”, pointed out Mr. Tsiodras. Commenting on the allegations about Stefanos Kasselakis becoming a minister, Mr. Tsiodras noted that “It is a scenario of political imagination, it is clear. It has been said by Mr. Diamataris and by the government.” “But I am impressed by the following: that the leader of the party of the radical left is trying to raise his political status by saying that he has the approval of Kyriakos Mitsotakis and that he could also make him a minister through a myth he makes up. This is really beyond me and I don’t know how they are dealing with it in his party as well”, added Mr. Tsiodras.