North Aegean islands

Ferry services disrupted due to strong winds

Several ferry services were disrupted on Thursday due to gale-force winds up to 10 on the Beaufort scale blowing in the Aegean Sea, the Shipping Ministry said.

All planned services from Rafina port to the Cyclades have been suspended, while the "Adamandios Korais" ferry scheduled to sail to the western Cyclades will remain docked.

Lower VAT on five Greek islands extended until end of 2018

The reduced value-added tax regime for the five islands of the northeastern Aegean most affected by the refugee crisis will apply until the end of the year, according to the announcement published in the government gazette on Saturday.

The favorable tax rates, that will affect the islands of Lesvos, Chios, Samos, Kos and Leros, were due to expire today (June 30).

Tsipras announces freeze in VAT hike for five Aegean islands

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras announced the government is freezing a planned VAT hike in five islands of the northeastern Aegean that have borne the brunt of the refugee crisis, saying it is "a very positive development."

The freeze will affect the islands of Lesvos, Chios, Samos, Kos and Leros, which were due to adopt in July the higher tax rates implemented on the mainland. 

Protesters rock riot police bus in Lesvos during PM visit

Protesters rock a riot police bus outside a venue where Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is scheduled to speak at a regional conference in the town of Mytilene on the northeastern Aegean island of Lesvos, on Thursday, May 3, 2018. Local residents responded to the visit with closed stores and strikes, in a protest against the overcrowded refugee camps on the island and the imminent rises in VAT.

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