Tzitzikostas refused to enter Izmir, even though the technical barrier to entry lifted.
Tzitzikostas stated that the ban on his entry into Türkiye was unacceptable and stated that the ban was lifted as a result of the efforts of the European Union and Greece.
Central Macedonia Regional President Tzitzikostas, headquartered in Thessaloniki, is on a ferry to Türkiye to attend the Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly (ARLEM) General Assembly Meeting to be held in Izmir on 7-8 November, according to reports in the national press.
According to the information received from the Turkish authorities, Tzitzikostas, whose identity was checked with other passengers during customs procedures in Izmir, was hosted by the local authorities for a while due to a technical problem arising from the similarity of the name with a person with an entry restriction. Local authorities informed Tzitzikostas that after the problem was resolved, he could enter Izmir and continue his program. Tzitzikostas, however, told authorities that he had refused to enter.
Central Macedonian Region President Apostolos Tzitzikostas said in a statement on his social media account, “Thank you for your support. Following the efforts of the European Union and Greece, the Turkish government decided to lift the unacceptable ban on Türkiye banning the attempt. However, despite all this, I stand behind my decision to leave the country immediately and return to Greece".
Tzitzikostas is also the Chairman of the European Committee of the Regions affiliated to the European Union.
