Lesbos will begin issuing fast-track visas to Turkish tourists from April 1, Mytilene Mayor Panagiotis Tactikos announced on Thursday.
The announcement follows an agreement between Athens and Ankara approved EUon the revival of the previous scheme of the special Schengen program express visa for Turkish citizenswishing to visit some of the eastern Aegean islands.
The agreement was announced during President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s December 7 visit to Athens. Greece has received permission from the European Union to once again allow Turkish citizens to apply for seven-day tourist visas to 10 islands off the Turkish coast. The special visa applies to the islands of Lesbos, Limnos, Chios, Samos, Leros, Kalymnos, Kos, Rhodes, Symi and Kastellorizo.
Earlier today, a conference was held in Mytilene to resolve issues related to the expected influx of Turkish tourists. It was attended by representatives of a number of relevant authorities, including the Chief of Police of the Northern Aegean region, the Mytilene Coast Guard and the island’s customs services. The port is also undergoing renovation work to facilitate the arrival of tourists and their vehicles.
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