As a sign of solidarity with Ukraine, Greece has announced that it is taking some initiatives to support it. Yes, the authorities are ready to support Ukrainian refugees by giving them the opportunity to support themselves. According to the Greek government, they will create 50,000 jobs in the tourism sector.
In a press release issued on February 28, Tourism Minister Vasilis Kikilias announced that the domestic market had experienced difficulties last year and could not meet the needs of tourism professionals. “After consultations with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, it was agreed that we will bring Ukrainian refugees into the country… Measures have already been taken to care for and treat those in need, and we are ready to provide them with jobs… with European contracts and collective bargaining agreements could help in this sector,” he said.
Russian tourism is stopped
On Monday, Greece closed its airspace to all aircraft from Russia in accordance with the EU decision on sanctions, suspended the issuance and extension of residence permits to Russians investing in Greece. It should be noted that flights from Russia to Europe will be banned for three months, until May 28, while the Greek official added that there is still no information on how much Greek tourism will suffer from the loss of Russian tourism.
“Of course, all this affects the core of our economy – tourism. A new reality is being created for Europe and the world. Therefore, depending on the development of events, preparations are underway to see how we can deal with any problem that may arise,” said the Minister.
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He also stressed that the Greek leadership is very concerned about the situation in Ukraine, but will do everything possible to attract to Greece all guests, travelers and tourists from around the world to compensate for the Russian tourist flow.
Ukrainian refugees in Europe
According to Kikilias, there are now more than 150,000 Ukrainian refugees in Greece, most of them from Mariupol and Odessa. As for another European country – Slovakia – in just the first four days of Russia’s special operation in Ukraine, the country received about 26,000 Ukrainians. “From 6:00 am on Thursday, February 24, 2022, to Sunday, February 27, 2022, 25,935 people entered the territory of the Slovak Republic from Ukraine. Most people crossed the border crossings in Vyshne-Nemets (13645) and Ubli (10715), “the ministry said in a statement.
In this regard, the neighboring countries of the European Union – Romania and Hungary – offered their support, which also opened its doors to many citizens of Ukraine. Similarly, the Czech Republic and Poland, despite their immigration rules, have declared their readiness to host Ukrainian refugees. In addition, EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Ilva Johansson noted that the EU has already accepted about 300,000 Ukrainian refugees, and this number is expected to increase next week. The UN estimates that about 4 million people may flee Ukraine in the near future.
Most EU countries, including the Netherlands, Norway, France, Switzerland, Ireland and Latvia, are now advising their citizens to refrain from traveling to Russia.