Journalist: Spiros Sideris

Link (in Greek) :https://www.ieidiseis.gr/politiki/181719/o-aperxomenos-toyrkos-presvis-sto-ieidiseis-na-estiasoume-stis-lyseis-kai-oxi-sta-provlimata

"- Mr. Ambassador, after almost four years in Greece, as Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye have you become more diplomatically wise?

I can’t really say I am any wiser than the moment I set foot in Greece four years ago, but I am certainly older!

- Your tenure in Athens has coincided with rising tensions between Greece and Türkiye. What was the most difficult moment during your stay in Greece?

It is hard to pinpoint an exact moment, but I can say that the most difficult period for me was when we had the lockdowns. I can’t do my job if I am not out there, talking to people, even arguing with them.

-Was there a moment when you felt there was hope for normalization of relations between the two countries?

A diplomat is not a diplomat if he or she does not always have hope!

-Mr. Ambassador with a hand on your heart, how difficult is it for Athens and Ankara to "get along"? What should be done in your opinion?

The answer to that depends on if you are a glass half full, or half empty kind of person. I think you know my type from my answer to the previous question!

As for what should be done, I would say focus on the solutions rather than the problems. That way, we wouldn’t have to try so hard to convince each other of the righteousness of our positions.

-Do you think the war in Ukraine is shaping a new framework in international relations? Could the new landscape help Greek-Turkish relations?

It is a terrible tragedy and we should all learn from it. But first we have to stop it.

-Finally, I would like you to tell me how you would describe Greece and Greeks to a friend in Türkiye?

I would say go to Greece. Try the food, discover the landscape, meet the people and you will find beauty in all these. Don’t believe what you read in the papers. Go and look around, if you don’t find your own doppelganger, you will certainly see someone that looks like one of your relatives!

Come to think of it, I would give the same advice to the people of Greece too!"