The Alternate Foreign Minister for European Affairs, Nikos Xydakis, met at the Foreign Ministry today with the Alternate Minister for Tourism, Elena Kountoura, with whom he discussed the Foreign Ministry’s actions regarding the matter of issuing entry visas.
Mr. Xydakis briefed Ms. Kountoura on the timely planning and implementation, by the Foreign Ministry, of the necessary actions regarding the new and very demanding system for issuing visas with biometric data (VIS).
The Foreign Ministry has already taken the necessary steps to have the system ready to serve third-country (non-EU) nationals planning to visit Greece in the coming tourist season, contributing to the country’s economic growth during this critical time. Special mention was made of the projected increase in arrivals from Russia.
Mr. Xydakis met subsequently with tourism sector agencies, in a meeting attended by L. Tsilidis, President of the Hellenic Association of Travel & Tourist Agencies (HATTA), G. Vernikos, the Secretary General of the Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE), G. Tsakiris, President of the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels, G. Amvrazis, the Director of SETE, G. Paliouras, member of the HATTA board of directors, and G. Zacharatos, Secretary General of the Tourism Ministry.
Mr. Xydakis briefed those in attendance on the preparations that have been made regarding visa issuing, with the goal of the smooth functioning of the new system ahead of the new tourist season. The representatives of the agencies thanked Mr. Xydakis for the timely actions of the Foreign Ministry services.
January 25, 2016