ATHENS — "We seek dialogue but dialogue can't be carried out in conditions of threats, intimidation and provocations," underlined the President of the Hellenic Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, during her meeting with Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias at the Presidential Mansion on Tuesday.

Dendias briefed the president on the latest developments in issues related to foreign policy.

Sakellaropoulou said that, over the recent period, Greece has witnessed a wave of escalating provocations from the Turkish side and underlined that "the Turkish leadership, ignoring the rules of international law and good neighbourly relations, is creating an explosive situation in the Eastern Mediterranean through continuous provocations and a wave of inflammatory statements".

At the same time, she said that the government with its diplomatic inititatives and the two very important agreements with Egypt and Italy, as well as its position in general, has attracted a wave of support and understanding for the Greek position and disapproval of the Turkish provocations.

"I think it is time for the Turkish government to understatnd that Greece, in cooperation with its allies and always with respect for international law, will do whatever is necessary to defend its national interests," underlined Sakellaropoulou.

On his part, Dendias referred to a very difficult period ahead for the country, adding that "thank God we had important successes in the last period, the signing of the two agreements for the maritime borders with Italy and Egypt, which promote Greece's role as a factor of stability in the region."

Referring to the Turkish provocativeness, he said it was a pity because Greece is a country that always supports reason, seriousness and respect for international law, as well as respect for the need to preserve peace and stability. It is a pity to have a neighbour that does not view reality in the same way," he added.