Visa facilitation marks progress in Turkish, Greek ties
Greek Minister Kairidis promotes reconciliation through a visa program that simplifies travel for Turkish citizens to Greek islands, contributing to regional stability
Greece is optimistic about the recent developments after Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced a visa facilitation scheme during Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit. In an exclusive interview, Greek Migration and Asylum Minister Dimitris Kairidis described the visit as a positive turn in Turkish-Greek relations.
Kairidis emphasized the politicians' commitment to problem-solving rather than escalation. He highlighted the significant opportunity presented by the meeting between Mitsotakis and Erdogan, leaders with renewed mandates, to enhance relations between NATO allies.
Regarding the visa facilitation scheme, Kairidis mentioned his efforts and stressed its significance in fostering improved bilateral relations. He highlighted Greece's support for Turkiye's E.U. aspirations and visa liberalization, pointing out the benefits for both nations.
The program allows Turkish citizens to visit ten Greek islands for up to seven days with a special visa issued by Greek authorities upon arrival, aiming to ease the cumbersome visa application process.
Kairidis underlined the importance of Turkish-Greek reconciliation for regional stability, expressing the need to avoid conflicts, especially amidst ongoing tensions in the broader region. Despite existing disputes, Kairidis affirmed the Mitsotakis government's genuine commitment to peaceful coexistence with Turkiye.
According to Greek Migration and Asylum Minister Dimitris Kairidis, the visa facilitation scheme, for which he personally strived, should be understood in the scope of the ongoing good spirit in bilateral relations. He maintained that the scheme came despite strong skepticism from some members of the E.U., more peculiarly in Northern and Western Europe. Reminding that Turkiye is the only candidate member of the E.U. that doesn’t benefit from the visa-free access to the Schengen Area, unlike other candidate members, Kairidis asserted that Greece has systematically supported Turkiye’s E.U. prospects and visa-liberalization for Turkish citizens.
That state of affairs has also been a problem for Greece, which wanted to attract more Turkish visitors, the minister noted, adding that Turkish tourists are valued by the Greek tourism sector as good spenders and family-oriented people.
“We eventually managed to convince the European Commission about the benefits of the scheme in bringing the Turks and Greeks together,” he said.
As such, Kairidis added: “This is truly a win-win solution for both countries.”
Source: Newsroom & Anadolu Agency
