I. Diplomatic Relations

The Greek Embassy in Belgium was established in 1945, whilst Greece was represented in Belgium since 1874 through our Embassies in other Western European countries.

II. Framework of Treaties

Treaties between the two countries include special interest conventions and agreements such as those for Road (16/6/1969) and Air (21/6/1949) Transport, matters of concern to Greek emigrants in Belgium (Social Security Agreement 1/4/1958, and Agreement for the Avoidance of Double Taxation of Income 25/5/2004), the Agreement for the Avoidance of Double Taxation of Shipping Profits (l.d. 117/69) and, finally, the Cultural Agreement (l.d. 3569/56).

III. Political relations

Political relations between Greece and Belgium are primarily determined by their membership of the European Union and NATO, within which they are pursuing a convergent policy. The heads of the two states have paid official visits (the King and Queen of Belgium to Greece June 2001 and the President of the Hellenic Republic to Belgium February 2005), whilst Belgian Prime Minister Verhofstadt visited Athens in December 2003. In May 2005, Defence Minister Spiliotopoulos also paid an official visit to Belgium for talks with his counterpart, Minister Flahaut. 

IV. Economic and Trade relations

Trade: The volume of bilateral trade in the first nine months of 2004 amounted to 1,326.8m euros.  Greek exports account for a mere 0.08% of overall Belgian imports, while Belgian exports to Greece represent 0.65% of the Belgian total. 

Investments: Greek investments in Belgium are rather low, with the exception of Intrasoft (which through its subsidiary Intrasoft International NV is amongst the key suppliers for ICT services to the Ministries of Finance and Justice, the Belgian Parliament, and the Belgian Telecommunications Organization); otherwise the representation of most Greek businesses is confined to local sales or service offices. 

In 2004, 365,000 Belgians visited Greece.

V. Cultural relations

Greek-related cultural activities including concerts, modern Greek cinema screenings and exhibitions, are frequently organized in Belgium, the heart of the European Union.

Greeces permanent cultural presence is also assured by organizations such as the Hellenic Drama Workshop, the Hellenic Theatre in Belgium, the Hellenic Womens Lyceums in Brussels and Antwerp, and by individual artists.

VI. The Greek Community

The Greek Community of Brussels is the largest community in the consular region. In the general vicinity of the Belgian capital (Brabant) there are 17,000 to 18,000 Greek residents. There is also a sizeable Greek community in Charleroi and environs (6,000), whilst in Limburg (Genk, Houthalen, Maasmechelen) there are over 3,000 Greeks.

VII. Embassy Details