By Samuel Burke, CNN

Brazil is in the throes of massive protests, but its foreign minister does not think that his country will see the type of violence and confrontation that Turkey has seen in the past weeks.

“I think it’s a different situation; the manifestations have been peaceful, predominately,” Antonio Patriota told CNN’s Christiane Amanpour on Wednesday in an exclusive interview.

But federal riot police have been sent to five major cities.

“There may be episodes of violence here and there and, of course, the security forces have to be prepared because there are large numbers of people involved,” Patriota told Amanpour. “And our expectation is that they will continue to manifest in a peaceful way.”

Echoing statements from President Dilma Rousseff, the foreign minister said in a calm tone that Brazil is a stronger country because of the protests, and that these demonstrations are all part of the democratic process.

“Her government has lifted millions out of the poverty and joined the middle class,” he said of the administrations of Rousseff and former President Lula da Silva. “And it’s natural that rising living conditions should give rise to higher expectations.”