New “upheavals” after Turkey’s “funny” explanations for the blockade on Dzidzikostas

It still causes strong reactions Turkey’s provocative behavior towards the governor of Central Macedonia and first vice-president of the European Committee of the Regions Apostolos Tzitzikostas, given, in fact, that the “explanations” given out of court regarding “technical problem” and “hospitality” are anything but convincing. Already, however, the issue is also in the European institutions that were informed while the case was developing, while and the EPP yesterday condemned the provocative behavior of Turkey, pointing out that “while ostensibly upholding EU values ​​as a candidate country, Turkey detained and denied entry to EU Commission of the Regions Vice-President Apostolos Tzitzikostas. The ELK condemns this unjustified provocation”.

Mr. Tzitzikostas himself who returned to Greece yesterday with the government aircraft carrying Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias from the United Arab Emirates, described as jokes what was reported about the similarity of his name with another name of a person who is not allowed to enter Turkey.

In his statements to journalists, on the occasion of the ban on his entry to Turkey, Mr. Tzitzikostas pointed out: “I cannot know what the Turks are 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.” At the same time, he said: “The Turkish authorities checked my identity, my passport and all my diplomatic European documents. They have absolutely no excuse, because from the time of the thorough inspection to the time when it was announced that the ban on my entry to Turkey would be lifted, 6 to 7 hours passed.” of his entry into Turkey

During those hours, as he said, he was at a customs office in the port of Smyrna and on the ship.

Regarding the attitude of the Turkish authorities throughout this incident, he pointed out that it was not provocative, but he emphasized that “it was clear as the entry of a Greek European citizen and official into the country was prohibited”. In any case, he emphasized that as soon as the Turkish authorities informed him that there is a ban on his entry into Turkey, he decided to return to Greece.

Describing the incident in detail, Mr. Tzitzikostas noted: “Yesterday morning, around 10, I arrived with the new ferry connection between Thessaloniki and Smyrna, by ship, at the port of Smyrna. During the passport control, I was informed by the Turkish authorities that there is a ban on my entry into Turkey, without giving any explanation at all.

I immediately contacted the Greek Prime Minister, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the consular and diplomatic authorities, both of Greece and the European Union, because I was in the region as president of the Euro-Mediterranean Assembly of the European Committee of the Regions.

After several hours of my stay at the customs office of the port of Izmir and after pressure exerted by all sides, the Turkish government and the authorities there informed me that the ban on my entry into Turkey has been lifted. Nevertheless, I had already decided that after this most provocative attitude of Turkey, I would leave and return to Greece”.

He emphasized: “when we are on a mission abroad we do not represent ourselves, we represent all Greeks. And I assure you that there is no way I will ever accept any insult at the expense of any Greek, because for me the dignity of the Greeks is non-negotiable”. At the same time, he thanked, for their support, the Greek government, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias with whom he returned from Izmir, the diplomatic and consular authorities of Greece and the European Union in Turkey and the political parties that issued relevant announcements.

Regarding Turkey’s stance, he said: “these provocative actions by Turkey deepen the gap that separates it from the European Union. We as Regions, as Municipalities are here to act as bridges between peoples, to build partnerships for the benefit of citizens. And that’s what we will continue to do.”

After all, answering questions from journalists, he noted that the mayor of Istanbul and the mayor of Izmir contacted him, which, as he said, “really shows that there is another person in Turkey.”

In this climate described by Mr. Tzitzikostas, the mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem Imamoglou, described the treatment of the governor of Central Macedonia as unacceptable, while together with the mayor of Athens, Costas Bakoyannis, they sent a double message by inaugurating a park.

The joint message of the two mayors was about strengthening the cooperation and solidarity of the peoples which will act as a bulwark against aggression and cynical nationalism.

In his speech, Kostas Bakoyannis noted that it is easy to tear down, but difficult to build, pointing out that cities can act as ambassadors of common values, the reality of citizens and the power of peoples:

“The tumultuous times we are experiencing also demand it. To the multiple and successive crises, our response cannot be withdrawal and alienation. But interaction and solidarity.[…] This is our response to those who exploit our national sensitivities. Let them hear us from here. Let us be heard from Istanbul. From the crossroads of cultures. Greeks, Turks, Bulgarians, Bosnians, Croats and so many others who could not be with us today. We now join our voices here and send a clear message: No to myopic political opportunism. No to cynical nationalism. No to aggression and warmongering. What unites us is much more than what divides us».

The two mayors – who in recent years have built a strong “bridge” of cooperation to strengthen Greek-Turkish friendship, in an extremely critical period – referred to the important role of local self-government in strengthening peace and solidarity, stressing that municipalities are the closest democratic institution to society.

“Unnecessary and senseless provocations, such as yesterday’s one by our friend and fellow self-governing Regional Governor of Macedonia, are regrettable. But they strengthen our resolve. And let’s swim against the current. Thus, I will be very happy to repay, within the year, the visit of my friend Dimarchos Smyrna to Athens, which I am necessarily postponing now, together with Ekrem Imamoglou” said Mr. Bakoyiannis regarding yesterday’s episode in Smyrna at the expense of Apostolos Tzitzikostas and he added: “Today, we choose to follow a different path. Not that of fear, extremism and discord, but of hope, moderation and unity. We are following the path carved by Eleftherios Venizelos and Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, when in 1934, after years of violence and bloodshed, Venizelos proposed that Ataturk be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. We choose peace and friendship. Consciously. Clearly».

For his part, the Mayor of Istanbul chose to comment on the incident at the expense of Mr. Tzitzikostas in a special way, saying characteristically that “what saddened my dear friend Kostas, saddened me too”:

“Our esteemed guest, who came for a program organized by the Mayor of Smyrna, Mr. Tunc Soyer, unfortunately, due to a misunderstanding and a technical problem, which resulted in him not being given permission (to enter) upset us as well. I hope that the intentions, which are hidden behind this incident and are intended to spoil the relations between the two countries, do not take different steps. Yesterday’s treatment of Mr. Tzitzikosta is unacceptable. I hope the authorities of both countries will not allow such issues to happen again. Because there is a need for friendship, brotherhood and cooperation on both sides of the Aegean. There is an absolute need for peace in the Aegean».

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