Greek FM Dendias received in quake-devastated SE Turkey by counterpart Cavusoglu; pledges continued support on nat’l level, EU framework

Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias arrived in earthquake-ravaged southeast Turkey on Sunday morning to express Athens’ solidarity and willingness to offer any assistance it can, with the former received at Adana Airport by his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu.

The two men later made statements before waiting television crews in Antakya, one of the most devastated cities in the wider region, comments carried live by Greek public television.

Cavusoglu expressed his government’s thanks for the support and assistance conveyed by Greece, saying the country was among the first to react to the catastrophic natural disaster.

On his part, the Greek foreign minister said Athens has pledged to continue offering whatever assistance and support is requested, both on a national level and within the EU framework.

Dendias is also scheduled to meet with members of Greece’s search and rescue unit (EMAK) operating in the region.

The official death count has now exceeded 28,000. On an auspicious note, a 35-year-old man was pulled alive from the rubble on Saturday after remaining trapped for 149 hours.

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