For more than 10 days now Macedonian tourists entering Greece are besieged by young ladies who run to each car bearing Macedonian license plate giving them dozen brochures with discounts to shopping centers or discounts for hotel packages to celebrate New Year in Solun. Greek businessmen look to Macedonian tourists to get them out of their financial crisis. Forget politics, when it comes to euros, Greece loves Macedonians, at least it loves and recognizes their money. - Each time I enter Greece I am given several brochures by two young girls who seem to be hired specifically for us. They run after each Macedonian vehicle. This has been going on ever since the announcement for no visas. Today I have brochures for shopping at Lidl Market, Kosmos, Kerfor etc - says a Macedonian motorist. But Greek businessmen wouldn't be the only ones profiting from the free travel regime. Macedonia will profit as well. Macedonian customs officials have duly noted to our citizens they would have to pay taxes when bringing items from Greece back into Macedonia. - We have been very, perhaps too lax when it came to taxing items in the past. IKEA is very popular among Macedonians, especially the store in Solun. Our citizens have brought thousands of items from that store and entered back tax free. This will no longer apply. Everyone on shopping spree in Greece will be taxed when returning - says a Customs Official at the Macedonian Greek border. This type of situation clearly shows how interdependent are both countries. Politically, Macedonia and Greece work on solving bizarre disputes that realistically wont be solved for years to come.
|
