US Ambassador Pyatt: Greece is a Safe Destination

The Panathinaic “Kalimarmanron Stadium” in Athens.

In response to a spate of local media reports over a US embassy travel warning issued last week for Greece, concerning the Christmas holiday season, US Ambassador to Greece Geoffrey Pyatt said the country was a safe destination.

Pyatt underlined that the announcement sent to all US citizens via e-mail is common practice and is a general warning issued for all European destinations ahead of the holiday season.

“Contrary to some erroneous press reports, the @USEmbassyAthens security notice is a standard holiday season State Department notice for European posts,” said Pyatt via his twitter account, adding that “Greece remains at travel advisory level 1: exercise normal precautions, the safest State Department designation”.

US Ambassador to Greece Geoffrey Pyatt

The security alert issued by the US Embassy in Athens on November 29, referred to the high possibility of violence by “extremists” and “transnational terrorist organizations” at Christmas holiday markets, shopping malls, airports, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, transportation hubs, and other soft targets frequented by tourists.

The US State Department applies four advisory levels: 1 – exercise normal precautions, 2 – exercise increased caution, 3 – reconsider travel, and 4 -do not travel.

Indicatively, France, Belgium Denmark, the UK and Germany are at Level 2.