Greece will back Turkey's EU visa-free travel bid

Greece will back Turkey's bid for visa-free travel across the European Union countries, because tourists from the neighboring country support Greece's economy, Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni has said. "We will support the Turks' right of free movement in the European Union," Kefalogianni told Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) President Rifat Hisarciklioğlu, during recent a Turkish mission to Athens. Procedures for Turks to travel to four Greek islands have already been eased, and visas are no longer required from Turks with green passports, Kefalogianni said, adding that the number of Turkish tourists to Greece had increased 180 percent in a very short period of time. During his visit to Athens at the invitation of Union of Greek Chambers Chairman Constantine Michalos, Hisarciklioğlu shared Turkey's experience of economic crisis with members of Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Economy Minister Kostis Hatzidakis, along with Kefalogianni. Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (İTO) President Murat Yalçıntaş and former Central Bank head Süreyya Serdengeçti accompanied Hisarciklioğlu on his visit.