-High priority issue for the police services of the General Regional Police Directorate of the North Aegean
Record arrivals were recorded in the islands of the North Aegean from Turkey, with the implementation of the pilot program of granting entry visas upon the arrival of visitors at the statutory sea points of entry to the islands of the North East Aegean, from the neighboring country.
The implementation of this program has started from March 30, 2024, with the agreement of the European Commission, in accordance with the broad application of the provisions of Regulation (EC) 810/2009 “Visa Code” and concerns the ports of Mytilene Lesvos, Petra Lesvos, Plomari Lesvos, Myrina Limnos, Chios, Vatheos Samos, Pythagorion Samos and Karlovasi Samos, as institutionalized sea entry points to the islands of the North-East Aegean.
From the start of the program until 31-08-2024, 372,495 visitors arrived at the above ports and entry visas of limited territorial validity were granted, in accordance with the current legislation, to 54,373 of them.
More specifically:
Arrivals at statutory entry points of the areas of responsibility of the Lesvos Police Directorate:
Total number of visitors: 120,242
- Number of European citizens: -20,148-
- Number of third-country nationals: -8,076-
- Number of Turkish citizens: -92,018-
- Number of entry visas for Turkish citizens: -21,987-
Arrivals at a statutory entry point in the area of competence of the Chios Police Department:
Total number of visitors: 133,720
- Number of European citizens: -25,724-
- Number of third-country nationals: -18,540-
- Number of Turkish citizens: -89,456-
- Number of entry visas for Turkish citizens: -19,623-
Arrivals at statutory entry points of the areas of responsibility of the Samos Police Department:
Total number of visitors: 118,533
- Number of European citizens: -34,080-
- Number of third-country nationals: -11,714-
- Number of Turkish citizens: -72,739-
- Number of entry visas for Turkish citizens: -12,763-
With regard to the procedure, it is noted that visitors are given the option of granting a visa of limited territorial validity with the right to stay to the holders up to seven (7) days at most, depending on the purpose and conditions of the intended stay and it concerns all citizens of Turkey , as well as their family members, who move directly from Turkey to our country.
In order to provide interested parties with an entry visa of limited territorial validity, the completeness of the entry conditions is examined, in accordance with article 6 of Regulation (EU) 2016/399 “Schengen Borders Code”.
The implementation of the specific pilot program is of particular importance for our country, while for the police services of the General Regional Police Directorate of the North Aegean, responsible for its implementation, it is a matter of high priority.
