The Mayor of Athens, Kostas Bakoyannis, who was about to travel to Izmir to participate in the Euro-Mediterranean Conference of the EU Committee of the Regions, after consultation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and after a telephone conversation with Mr. Tsitsikostas, canceled his participation in the event in question and postponed his official visit to Izmir , a visit he planned at the mayor’s invitation.

It is noted that Kostas Bakoyannis is in Istanbul, where today he met with the mayor of the city, Ekrem Imamoglu.

Having Mr. Imamoglu by his side, Mr. Bakoyannis said: “It is really unimaginable for me, it is very difficult for me to understand how the free entry of a self-governing regional governor into the country can be banned. About a man who, among other things, also served as President of the EU Committee of the Regions. I want to believe that the necessary clarifications will be given, but also the necessary apologies.”

Earlier today, the governor of Central Macedonia, Apostolos Tsitsikostas, remained “locked” in the port of Smyrna for several hours by the Turkish authorities, who did not allow him to enter the country.