Lesvos to launch fast-track visas for Turks from April 1st

Lesvos will launch fast-track visas for Turkish tourists from April 1st, the mayor of Mytilini Panagiotis Taktikos announced on Thursday. 

The announcement follows an agreement by Athens and Ankara, approved by the EU, to revive a previous scheme the special Schengen Express Visa program for Turkish citizens wishing to visit certain eastern Aegean islands.

The agreement was announced during the visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on December 7 in Athens. Greece got permission from the European Union to re-enable Turkish citizens to apply for a seven-day tourist visa for 10 islands close to the Turkish coast.

It includes the islands of Lesvos, Limnos, Chios, Samos, Leros, Kalymnos, Kos, Rhodes, Symi and Kastellorizo.

Earlier today, a conference aimed to iron out issues for the expected influx of Turkish tourists was held in Mytilini – it was attended by several relevant authorities, including the police chief of the North Aegean Region, the Mytilini Coast Guard, and the island’s customs officials.

Renovations are also taking place at the port in order to facilitate the arrival of the tourists and their vehicles.