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The European Commission has extended the fast-track visa program for Turkish citizens visiting selected Greek islands for another year.
The renewal will take effect on April 1, 2025, allowing Turkish nationals and their families to receive seven-day visas at port entries on 12 islands in the eastern Aegean.
The visa program is a rare exception to Schengen rules, allowing short-term visits without a full Schengen visa. It's part of a broader roadmap between Türkiye and Greece to improve bilateral ties after years of regional disputes and political tension.
A statement from diplomatic sources quoted by Greek media said the Commission "welcomed the successful implementation of the program" over the past year and recognized its "positive contribution to promoting contacts between the two peoples."
The program is part of a diplomatic thaw between the two NATO countries. In December 2023, Türkiye and Greece signed a cooperation roadmap aimed at starting a "new era" of relations. The visa deal was among the steps agreed upon during this process.
The renewed program will run until at least April 2026, and further extensions may depend on continued diplomatic cooperation and regional stability.
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