Greece facilitates visas for Turks wishing to visit its Aegean islands

Greece plans to introduce a automatic visa system for Turkish citizens wishing to visit 10 of its islands. This decision was taken after a meeting between the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the Turkish President Recep Erdoğanand has been approved by the European Commission. The Greek Immigration Minister believes that this measure will bring Greeks and Turks closer together.

Athens plans simplified visas for Turkish visitors to Greek islands

According to local reports, Athens is considering granting simplified visas for Turks wishing to visit the Greek islands. The city plans to introduce a one-year visa program for Turkish citizens visiting the Aegean region. Details of a draft agreement were unveiled after a meeting between the Turkish Interior Minister, Ali Yerlikayaand the Greek Minister for Migration and Asylum, Dimitris Kairidisin Ankara.

The draft agreement includes :

• A 7-day (single-entry) visa application option for Turkish citizens visiting several Greek islands, including Rhodes, Lesbos, Samos, Chios, Kos, Leros And Meis.
• Arrangements for Turkish and Greek coastguard officers to be placed on duty at designated locations.

Relations between Greece and Turkey improved after Greece provided aid following earthquakes in southern Turkey, and the two nations expressed solidarity after a train accident in northern Greece resulted in loss of life.

Eine Szene zwischen Erdogan und Mitsotakis, die viel aussagt. Die Stimmung heute in Athen ist bemüht freundlich. Ob die Türkei und Griechenland ihre (auch territorialen) Konflikte lösen können, ist eine andere Frage. Dazu braucht es mehr Zeit und mehr politischen Willen. 🇹🇷🇬🇷 pic.twitter.com/6Cgnlwbnbt

- Carolina Drüten (@corajamine) December 7, 2023

List of islands covered by this new program

• Lemnos
• Lesvos
• Chios
• Samos
• Leros
• Kalymnos
• Kos
• Rhodes
• Symi
• Kastelorizo

Prime Minister Mitsotakis also expressed his support for the Turkey's request forvisa-free access to the Schengen zone. A statement on Friendship and Good Neighborly Relations was signed to strengthen ties between the 2 countries.

Greece is the 2nd country with the highest number of visa applications from Turkish citizens, after Germany.

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