ATHENS — Greek government spokesman Stelios Petsas condemned the use of offensive language against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan used by a daily newspaper recently, saying that this is contrary to Greek values and should be condemned.

In a tweet posted in English on Saturday, Petsas said, "Free speech and independence of the press are cherished by the Greek people and protected in our Constitution. This, however, does not negate the responsibility to respect a foreign leader. Offensive language is contrary to our values and can only be condemned by the government."

The front-page story was also condemned a day earlier by the Greek Foreign Ministry in similar wording.