I. Diplomatic relations:
Pakistans first Embassy in Athens was opened in 1975.
Greece established an Embassy in Islamabad in 1987. The first serving Ambassador was Mr. V. Papadopoulos.
II. Treaty Framework: major inter-state agreements:
A protocol of bilateral cooperation between the General Secretaries of the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs has been awaiting signature for two years.
Agreement on the Educative and Cultural collaboration between Greece and Pakistan. Signed by the General Secretary of Culture Mr. Zahopoulos and his colleague Mr. Jalil Abbasi (Islamabad, 25.4.2005). The agreement is referred on the common cultural bonds between the two countries, while it forecasts the mission of Greek experts in Pakistan, intending to the concretisation of researches with Pakistan scientists, which will be focused in discoveries of the Hellenistic period.
Agreement on Police Collaboration. It was signed by the Minister of Public Order Mr. Voulgarakis and his Pakistan colleague Mr. Sherpao (Islamabad, 11.5.2005). The signature of Agreement in question forecasts the aid of collaboration between the Authorities of the two countries intending to fight the illegal trafficking of persons (illegal immigration), drug trafficking and terrorism.
Bilateral Agreement on mutual banning of visas on diplomatic passports from the Ambassador Mr. Evangelos Karokis and the Additional Secretary of the Pakistan Ministry of Internal, Mr. Junaid (Islamabad, 31.08.2005)
III. Political relations
The Tasman Spirit affair involved a 9-month refusal by the Pakistani authorities to allow Greek crew members of the vessel Tasman Spirit, which had docked in the port of Karachi on 27.7.03, to leave the country. The vessels owners had been engaged in a dispute with an insurance company. After strenuous representations by the Greek authorities, the crew was finally allowed to leave on 17.4.04.
Greece is looking forward to a successful outcome of the bilateral Indo-Pakistani dialogue and a peaceful resolution of the differences between the two countries, including the dispute over Kashmir. We also support President Musharrafs political choice to eliminate terrorism in Pakistan and is looking forward to seeing Pakistan enjoying excellent relations with neighbouring Afghanistan.
High-level visits:
- G. Papandreou (then Minister for Foreign Affairs) in 2001
- Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. I. Valinakis, and Minister for Merchant Marine Affairs, Mr. Manolis Kefaloyannis (2004) on mission to resolve the Tasman Spirit affair.
- General Secretary of Culture Mr. Zahopoulos (see above) - April 2005.
- Minister of Public Order Mr. Voulgarakis (see above) May 2005.
- Visit of the Pakistani Prime Minister Mr. Shaukat Aziz to Athens May 2006
IV. Economic and trade relations
Trade: The volume of bilateral trade continues to be relatively small (January-September: 64,650,000), although it has increased significantly (about 30%) against the same period last year. Most trade is in fabrics, ready-to-wear clothing, bedcovers and machine tools. Greece has a trade deficit of 58m euros. This situation is willing to be reversed with the programmed foundation of the Economic and Commercial Office Affairs in Islamabad.
Development aid: The International Development Cooperation Department and the Greek Embassy provide funding for the development project run by the NGO Greek Volunteers in the Kalash valleys.Greece, via international organisms and NGOs, offered humanitarian help of 1,400,000 Euros in Pakistan, after the calamitous earthquake of 8 October 2005.
Tourism relations (flow of tourists to Greece): In 2004 some 700 tourist visas were issued from Pakistan to Greece.
V. Cultural relations
Major Greek cultural activities: In October 2004 Mr. Zain ul Wahab, an eminent Pakistani archaeologist, visited Athens for meetings at the Ministry of Culture, paving the way for a first exploratory mission by Greek scientists to Pakistan to carry out surface research for excavations. Mr. ul Wahab was awarded the honorary title Ambassador of Hellenism by the Prefecture of Athens in March 2004.
VI. Greek community
Numerical presence: Apart from one individual residing permanently in Karachi (Director of the Gate Gourmet Company) and a few Greek women married with Pakistanis who visit Pakistan with their husbands for a few weeks each year, there is no Greek community in the country.
VII. Embassy details