Greek-Georgian Relations

Embassy of Greece > I. Diplomatic relations Greece and Georgia established Embassy-level diplomatic relations in 1992. Georgia also has a Consulate-General in Athens and Greece has a Consular Office in Tbilisi. II. Framework of Treaties The main bi-lateral cooperation agreements are in the areas of culture/education, the economy, protection of investments, road and air transport, merchant marine, legal aid, customs, telecommunications, consular issues and defence. III. Political relations Political relations between the two countries are based on the one hand on Greeces interest in maintaining strong ties with the strategic area of the South Caucasus and the Black Sea, and on the other hand Georgias interest in developing relations with the member-states of the European Union and NATO, as well as the traditional ties between the two peoples. Greeks have been present in Georgia since antiquity. There are also a considerable number of people of Greek descent in Georgia. In this area of former Soviet republics in the South Caucasus, where there are different and often conflicting interests, Greece maintains a balanced and constructive stance. Greece, together with her EU partners, supports the efforts of the Georgian government towards modernisation of the state, socio-economic development, consolidation of democratic institutions and the establishment of the rule of law. Greece staunchly supported inclusion of Georgia and the other states in the South Caucasus in the European Neighbourhood Policy (June 2004) and pursues substantial cooperation between the European Union and these countries. Within international and regional organisations (United Nations, OSCE, Council of Europe, NATO, BSEC), the two countries enjoy harmonious cooperation based on mutual commitment to the principles of international law (respect of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of states, peaceful resolution of differences, return of refugees to their homes, etc.), as well as the respect of United Nations Security Council Resolutions. Within the framework of her relations with Georgia, Greece is also seeking to improve conditions of security for Georgian citizens of Greek descent, especially in the Tsalkas area, as well as the protection of their rights and property. High-level visits were exchanged between Greece and Georgia through the then President of Georgia, Eduard Shevardnadze in 1997, the President of the Hellenic Republic, Mr. Stephanopoulos in 1999, the Archbishop Christodoulou of Athens and Greece in 2002, and the Patriarch of Georgia Ilias II in 2004. Many visits have also been exchanged between Ministers, the most recent being the visit by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Evripidis Stylianidis (28-30/10/2004), focussing on bilateral talks on economic cooperation and development. Mr. Stylianidis also took part in the BSEC meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs under the Georgian Presidency (29/10/04). During a working visit in Athens on 24-25/11/2005, the Foreign Minister of Georgia, Mr. Gela Bezhouashvili, was accepted by the President of the Hellenic Republic. He also met with the Greek Foreign Minister, Mr. Petros Molyviatis, and with the Minister of Defence, Mr. Spilitiopoulos. IV. Economic and Trade relations Greek Development Aid Trade: There is great scope for the further development of Greek-Georgian trade. Bilateral trade stood at 19.2 million dollars in 2006 (17 million dollars of Greek exports, 2.2 million dollars of Georgian exports). Georgian exports comprise raw materials and agricultural products, whereas Greek exports consist of oil products. Investments: Greek capital investment in Georgia amounts to 45 million dollars. The main Greek companies operating as investors or exporters are the following: EKO Georgia, Xylotrans, Askana Ltd (Silver & Baryte Ores Mining Co. S.A.), Ponto Star, DICA, Eleones, Vitex. Major Greek investment projects in the past were the construction of the Georgian section of the 670 km long Asia-Europe optic fibres network by /HELLASCOM in 1999 and the construction of a port rail ferry in Poti Harbour within the framework of the TRACECA programme by the companies Hellenic Technodomiki and Athina in 2000. Tourism: Tourism between the two countries is limited chiefly to inter-state collaboration and there is only minimal flow of Georgian tourists to Greece. Development Aid: Georgia is one of the priorities in the Greek programme for bilateral development cooperation with countries in South-east Europe, Africa and the Caucasus. Between 1999 and 2003, 12 million euros were earmarked for humanitarian aid, health, education, public administration modernisation, the environment, and support for small and medium-sized enterprises. Defence Collaboration: In 1998 an Agreement on Military-Technical Cooperation was signed between the two countries as well as a Protocol on the further development of bilateral defence cooperation. Greece awards scholarships to Georgian students to study in Greek military schools. 11 scholarships were awarded in 2004. V. Cultural relations The main Greek cultural activity in Georgia is the Programme for the Teaching of the Greek Language and Culture at the University of Tbilisi and schools in 12 regions throughout the country financed by Greece in cooperation with the Georgian Ministry of Education. The programme has been renewed for 2004-5. The main Greek cultural organisation is the Institute of Classical, Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies at the University of Tbilisi which in 2004 organised an international scientific conference entitled Philhellenic Days. V. The Greek Community The Greek diaspora in Georgia is nowadays estimated at between 15.000 and 20.000 people. The numbers have dwindled due to the large wave of repatriation to Greece over the last few years, as well as emigration to Russia. The Greeks in Georgia have established the Union of Greeks in Georgia. There is a Greek Cultural Centre and a Greek newspaper entitled Greek Diaspora.