The Greek government requested all Greek Embassies and Consulates to return any available funds they hold to Greece’s central tax authority, on May 15.
Greece urged its diplomatic authorities abroad to return unallocated funds (for office supplies, cleaning supplies, etc.) and revenues from consular operations (visas, proxies etc.), sums that until today were partly netted off against the money for operating expenses granted to embassies and consulates by the Greek Foreign Ministry, which received a percentage of the returned revenue. Given Greece’s cash-strapped economy, this time the revenue will be returned to Greek tax authorities.
“The collection of these funds has begun and although a number of embassies and consulates generate considerable revenue from issuing tourist visas, there are no provisions to fund them, which may affect their operation,” noted To Vima.
Experienced diplomats commented that the embassies and consulates abroad have never received such a request in the past, while the Greek Foreign Ministry is downplaying the matter, noting that this is a standard procedure.
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