‘Absolutely no excuse’: Greece condemns Turkey’s entry ban on official

·

Greece has strongly protested a decision by Turkey to deny entry to and detain a Greek regional governor who arrived by boat in Izmir to preside over a regional body’s plenary session.

Apostolos Tzitzikostas, governor of Central Macedonia and first vice president of the European Union’s Committee of the Regions, said Turkish authorities did not provide a reason for denying him entry on Saturday and keeping him in a room for over six hours.

“I cannot know what the Turks were thinking. But I can tell you that this act was an act of extreme provocation towards not only a Greek official but also a European official because I was there in my European capacity,” Mr Tzitzikostas said.

Apostolos Tzitzikostas, governor of Central Macedonia and first vice president of the European Union’s Committee of the Regions.

“The Turkish authorities checked my identity, my passport and all my diplomatic European documents. They have absolutely no excuse…”

Greece’s Foreign Ministry also weighed in on the issue and said they “unequivocally condemn the unacceptable and totally unjustified detention and entry ban imposed on the governor of Central Macedonia by the Turkish authorities in Izmir.”

In the end, after protests by both Greece and the EU, Turkey lifted the entry ban, but Tzitzikostas decided to leave anyway and not attend the 13th plenary session of the Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly, a body over which he presides, on Monday and Tuesday.

Source: AP News and AMNA.

READ MORE: Turkey’s Foreign Minister warns Greece against expanding territorial waters in Aegean.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Over $45,000 raised to make Pontian House accessible for all

A total of $45,476 has been raised by Pontoxeniteas NSW at its Winter Wonderland Gala 2025 to install a platform lift at the Pontian House.

Star Pharmacy Group CEO Peter Piliouras takes on Chemist Warehouse in expansion plan

Peter Piliouras, CEO of Star Pharmacy Group, is aiming to double the group’s chain, taking on industry giant Chemist Warehouse.

Landlord Margarita Constanti Salamakis taken to court as bakery owner fights eviction

Margarita Constanti Salamakis is facing legal action in NSW Supreme Court after issuing an eviction notice to Marrickville bakery Miss Sina.

Mario Alexandridis at centre of Strike Force Candice raids across Sydney

Low-profile entrepreneur Marios Alexandridis has been charged in a major money laundering and unexplained wealth investigation.

SA seafood heir Sarantis Parissos jailed over police hit-and-run

Former professional footballer and seafood heir Sarantis Parissos has been sentenced to over six years in jail after a series of offences.

You May Also Like

Applications open for grants to secure faith-based places in Australia

Applications for the Albanese Government’s Securing Faith-Based Places grant program are now open.

Marrickville and Dulwich Hill precinct to be officially renamed to honour Greek migrants

Mayor of Inner West Council, Darcy Byrne, recently announced the council's decision to rename precinct in Marrickville and Dulwich Hill as 'Little Athens'.

Greeks pay tribute to South Sydney rugby league great, John Sattler

Australian Rugby League remembered John Sattler, who passed away on Monday, aged 80, after a battle with dementia.