Lesvos – Izmir Ferry Link to be Ready in 2017

Mytilini town, Lesvos. Photo © Koutrolm / Wikimedia Commons

The Greek island of Lesvos and the Turkish port city of Izmir will be connected via a new ferry service to be launched next year, Izmir Mayor Aziz Kocaoğlu announced this week, during the Greece-Turkey Sea Tourism and Investment Forum held in Turkey on Monday.

Addressing entrepreneurs, investors and diplomats from both countries, Mr Kocaoğlu said that two high-speed vessels will be running the service slated to be operational by mid-2017.

Jointly organized by the General Consulate of Greece in Izmir and Izmir’s Maritime Chamber of Commerce, the Greece-Turkey Sea Tourism and Investment Forum explores the potential of bilateral trade as well as ways to enhance investment flows between the two countries.

Mr Kocaoğlu stressed that the two countries should work together for the promotion of the region, adding that cooperation will also help to enhance peace.

The decision comes after a series of consultations on the initiative of Lesvos Mayor Spyros Galinos, who expressed his satisfaction that words are finally turning to actions, referring to the direct air link with Istanbul as well as the establishment of Lesvos as a stopover on the ferry route from Thessaloniki to Izmir.