It is stated that the temporary visa application, which facilitates travel to the Greek islands in the Aegean, has been abolished.
Greek press noted that the EU Commission did not approve the application, which is referred to as the “visa at the door”, for the new tourist season.
Greece’s deputy minister of foreign affairs in charge of European affairs, Giorgos Katrougalos, stated in his letter to parliamentarians of the islands that the decision could not be prevented despite all ministerial insistence.
It is stated that visa procedures will be facilitated and that more staff will be provided to the consulates in Turkey and the electronic system will be used for visa applicants in order to overcome the problems expected due to this decision.
It is also reported that Katrougalos, is bringing a special visa application to Turkish tourists on the occasion of his meeting with European Commission Vice President Frans Timmermans.
GREAT IMPACT ON ISLAND TOURISM
The decision of the European Union led to the great reaction in the islands.
Spiros Galinos, the mayor of Lesbos, pointed out that the islands are under a heavy burden due to the migratory crisis and that this development will cause a major impact on tourism in all the islands, especially in Lesbos.
North Aegean State President Christiano Christiana Kalogirou has called attention to the concerns of the island’s inhabitants, calling for the use of all possible solutions.
For the islands of Lesbos, Rhodes, Kos, Symi, Samos and Kastellorizo, between April and October, Turkish tourists have been given a visa at the port of entry since 2012.
According to the tourism authorities, the half of the tourists on the island are composed of Turkish tourists.
Tags: Greek visa, Greek islands, Lesbos, Rhodes, Kos, Symi, Samos, Kastellorizo, Greek islands visa application, visa at the port of entry.