Today, the Turkish side put forward a new challenge as the regional 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.

It all happened when the ruler of Central Macedonia arrived at the port of the Turkish city. Mr. Tsitsikostas was traveling this morning on the new ferry line that connects Thessaloniki to Izmir to preside over the 13th European and Mediterranean General Assembly (ARLEM), however shortly after his arrival he was detained at the office by the authorities preventing him from entering country.

Government sources

According to government sources, this morning Apostolos Tsizikostas went to Izmir on a ship that connects Thessaloniki with Izmir to preside over the Euro-Mediterranean Conference of the EU Committee of the Regions, that is, not only as a Greek, but also as a Greek. European official. When he arrived, he was told that he was banned from entering the country. When he asked for reasons, there was no answer. The same goes for the next questions. The governor of the region contacted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the relevant EU agencies, and they were also not told the reason for the entry ban. Mr. Tsitsikostas remains on the ship for the time being and will return to Greece.

Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the case

In this case, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement stating:

“We unreservedly condemn the unacceptable and utterly humiliating detention and ban on entry of the governor of Central Macedonia by the Turkish authorities today in Izmir.

We expect the relevant Turkish authorities to provide immediate clarifications and urge them to take the necessary measures to avoid similar incidents in the future.

The Greek Embassy in Ankara, as well as the Consulate General in Izmir, were mobilized from the first moment, making relevant presentations to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”