The reactions to the ban on Dzidzikosta’s entry to Turkey are intensifying – Imamoglu informs the public

The case is getting bigger her “unacceptable and completely abusive detention and entry ban” of the governor of Central Macedonia, Apostolos Tzitzikostas by the Turkish authorities in Izmir, yesterday.
The “explanations” of the Turkish authorities, that everything happened because of the “similarity” of Mr. Dzickosta’s name with that of a person who had entry restrictions in Turkey, are not convincing, much more so, the characterization of the detention of the Governor of Central Macedonia as “hospitality”: Mr. Tzitzikostas, who arrived in Izmir by ship from Thessaloniki, in order to take part in the session of the European ARLEM sub-committee of the European Committee of the Regions as the president of ARLEM and in his capacity as the first vice-president of the Committee of the Regions , was taken by the Turkish authorities to a room of the Izmir customs office and remained there, without receiving an explanation of the reasons, for approximately six hours.
The “explanations” of the Turkish side regarding a technical problem, which when solved opened Turkey’s door to the Greek regional governor, did not convince even the mayor of Istanbul. Ekrem Imamoglou, who pledged to further publicize the issue, calling it a serious episode.

The mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem Imamoglou, after the unacceptable incident of preventing the entry of Apostle Tzizikostas into Turkey, speaking at Open, emphasized the following: “I managed to get a very brief update on the incident that happened today from my friend Costas Bakoyannis. After seeing the details of the incident, I will inform both the public and all the Balkan cities tomorrow.” In fact, he himself recognized the incident as “serious”.

Let us recall that the mayor of Athens also expressed his condemnation Kostas Bakoyannis after the unthinkable provocation of the Turks not to allow the regional governor of Central Macedonia, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, to enter the neighboring country, in order to participate in the Euro-Mediterranean Assembly (ARLEM).

Having by his side the mayor of Istanbul Ekrem Imamoglou the mayor of Athens stated: “It is really unimaginable for me to imagine, it is very difficult for me to understand how the free entry into a country, of a self-governing body, of a regional governor can be prohibited. Of a man, who, among other things, has also served as president of the EU’s Committee of the Regions. I want to believe that the necessary explanations will be given, but also the necessary apologies.”

Regarding the incident, the mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem Imamoglou, committed, this morning at the public opening event of a park dedicated to the B40 network, to jointly make a relevant statement with the mayor of Athens.

Also, after the extreme provocation by the Turks, the mayor of Athens had a telephone conversation with the regional governor of Central Macedonia, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, while after consultation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he proceeded to cancel his participation in the Euro-Mediterranean Convention, at the same time postponing his overall official visit to Smyrna .

Already, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has intervened in the case, having asked for an explanation for the unacceptable and abusive detention of Mr. Tzitzikostas, while in the announcement issued it is noted that representations were made by the competent diplomatic delegations of our country to the Turkish authorities.

Mr. Tzitzikostas himself, with his post on twitter, pointed out that the lifting of the ban on his entry into Turkey was a result of the actions taken by the European Union and the Greek side. He, however, decided after everything that happened to leave Turkey and return to Greece.

Thank you for your support. After actions by the EU and the Greek side, the Turkish government decided to lift the unacceptable ban on my entry into Turkey. Nevertheless, I stand by my decision to immediately leave the country and return to Greece.

— Apostolos Tzitzikostas (@tzitzikostas) November 5, 2022

The Minister of Citizen Protection expressed his support for Mr. Tzitzikostas Takis Theodorikakos, while the Deputy Minister of Interior Stavros Kalafatis contacted the regional governor by phone.

But the issue is brought before the European Commission by ND-EPP MEP Maria Spyrakis, submitting an urgent question to the Commission about Turkey’s behavior.

Commenting on the episode, Ms. Spyraki noted:

“I submitted an urgent question to the Commission tonight (i.e. yesterday Saturday). The unprecedented incident of the entry ban and detention in Smyrna of the regional governor of Central Macedonia, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, by the Turkish authorities, is added to the long list of the systematic violation of the rules of (the) international law by the neighboring country”.

“Turkey’s excuses no longer convince anyone,” he says and adds: “Turkish provocation and delinquency has exceeded all limits. It is obvious that such tactics of intimidation and democratic backsliding as today cannot be tolerated and for this reason I urgently ask the European Commission to take a position. The violation of fundamental European principles, such as freedom of movement and movement, not only makes Turkey’s accession path to the European Union problematic, but proves that the neighboring country does not integrate European rules and does not proceed with their implementation.”

Ms. Spyrakis’ question, according to the relevant announcement, is as follows:

“The entry ban of the Regional Governor of Central Macedonia to Turkey.

The Turkish authorities this morning (yesterday, Saturday) prohibited the entry into the country without any legal reason to the regional governor of Central Macedonia, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, who arrived at the port of Smyrna on the new ferry line that connects Thessaloniki to the Turkish coast, for to preside over the 13th Europe-Mediterranean General Assembly.

The Commission is asked:

1. How does he comment on the fact of the entry ban of a European citizen, who even holds an institutional position, by the Turkish authorities?

2. What measures does the European Commission intend to take against Turkey, given its status as a candidate country for accession, to control and suppress practices that violate fundamental principles of the Union?”

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