Greeks who fled Imbros, Turkey, return to escape crisis

A number of Greek families who had fled to Greece from the Turkish island of Gokceada, known to Greeks as Imbros, are now returning to their homeland to escape the economic crisis. Turkish Hurriyet Daily News states that the local Mayor Unal Cetin is congratulating returning Greeks for helping boost the economy with repatriated Greeks having started boutique hotels and other businesses.

The returning Greek families have roots on the island that was inhabited by Greeks from antiquity to the 20th century after fleeing following a Turkish state-sponsored campaign of discrimination. Throughout the years, Greeks have continued to visit the island over summer, however the economic crisis is causing many to return despite problems in relations between Athens and Ankara.