The leader of the Turkish opposition and favorite according to the opinion polls for the presidency Kemal Kilicdaroglu opened his papers speaking to the correspondent of SKAI in Istanbul Manolis Kostidis.

In his first interview with a Greek television network, he emphasizes that with Greece he will pursue good neighborly relations and with Europe he will promote Turkey’s accession process, which has bogged down in recent years.

As he typically states, he wishes to turn the Aegean Sea into an area of ​​peace, as happened during the period when Ismail Tzem was Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The interview in detail:

– In the last few days, we hear a lot about the elections. Like Mr. Erdogan’s statements, he made reference to July 15. We saw you wearing bulletproof vest. What happens; Are you afraid of something?

I am not afraid, but I am obliged to ensure my safety. There was various information and I was asked to wear bulletproof vest. I didn’t want to displease them and wore it.

– What is your prediction for the election result?

As a National Alliance we will win the elections. We will bring, in the real sense, democracy and peace to Turkey. There is instability in the economy and we must try to bring stability. In the pillars of the state there are disasters, between the legislature, the judiciary and the executive and we will try to restore the balance.

– On the question of foreign policy, you talk about changing the axis, about good relations with the neighbors. Do you have a message for Greece and the EU?

Without waiting for the E.U. to open funds, we will fulfill all the conditions provided by the E.U. As we believe that we are a country that deserves first-class democracy.

With the E.E. we want to develop our relationships. One of our important wishes is that they also come to Turkey and make investments.

In relations with Greece, we want to turn the Aegean Sea into an area of ​​peace, as happened when Ismail Tzem was the Minister of Foreign Affairs. We want to develop our relations with Greece in a friendly way. This is one of our biggest wishes. After all, we have a common culture, common songs, common memories and we must develop these.

Extreme polarization

In any case, Turkey is in a climate of extreme polarization, ahead of tomorrow’s presidential and parliamentary elections.

The European Union called on Ankara to proceed with a “transparent and inclusive” electoral contest.

Tayyip Erdoğan and Kemal Kılıçdaroglu close their pre-election appearances today with highly symbolic moves.

Erdogan is expected to conclude today with a prayer at the Hagia Sophia, which he has since 2020 converted into a mosque.

Kilicdaroglu, who has returned to Ankara, earlier visited the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.