Alexandroupoli

State Minister George Gerapetritis is on Monday to chair a meeting at the Maximos Mansion aimed at resolving continuing problems with the ferry connection between the northern port city of Alexandroupoli and the island of Samothraki.

State Minister George Gerapetritis is to chair a meeting at the Maximos Mansion on Monday aimed at resolving continuing problems with the ferry connection between the northern port city of Alexandroupoli and the island of Samothraki.

Half the bookings made at the northern Aegean island of Samothraki have been cancelled as a result of the problems with ferry connections which left hundreds of tourists stranded for days, the mayor said Thursday.

Problems with the ferry connection between the northern port city of Alexandroupolis and Samothraki continued Wednesday, with the northeastern Aegean island's port still jam-packed with stranded travelers.

Romania's Foreign Ministry (MAE) announces that the Greek authorities have confirmed the resumption of passenger and car ferry trips via the Samothraki - Alexandroupolis route on Wednesday morning, and specifies that the Romanian Embassy in Athens has got in touch with the Romanian tourists staying on this island and continue the efforts with the local authorities to ensure their safe departure

Hundreds of tourists on Tuesday remained stranded on Samothraki since Sunday due to a combination of powerful winds and a breakdown of the main ferry linking the northern Aegean island to the port city of Alexandroupoli on the mainland.

Hundreds of tourists, including Bulgarians, have been blocked at the port of Alexandroupoli and the island of Samothrace due to damage in the only ferry that connects the island to the port city, BNR reported.

"Contact the port authorities if you have an island vacation booking," the ferry company advised.

US Ambassador to Greece Geoffrey Pyatt is calling for yet stronger defense and security cooperation between the two countries that will build on recent progress. In an exclusive interview to Kathimerini, the American envoy hailed the "very strong" relationship under the previous government, which he credited for the strengthening of ties in the areas of defense and security.

Four people, aged between 40 and 58, that were arrested on drug possession charges in the wider region of Alexandroupoli in northeastern Greece on Monday are members of a large network smuggling narcotics into Turkey through the border of Evros, authorities said on Wednesday.

Greece's Coast Guard said it rescued 49 migrants from a dinghy sailing off the northern city of Alexandroupolis early Thursday morning.
The rescuees were transferred safely to the port of Alexandroupolis where the local port authority will investigate the incident.
The coast guard did not provide details on their nationalities.