I. Diplomatic Relations
Once Malta became a sovereign Republic (13/2/1974), and until 9/12/2004, the Greek Ambassador to Rome was also accredited to Malta. Greece has had an Embassy in Valetta and an accredited Ambassador to Malta ever since.
II. Framework of Treaties
Bilateral relations with Malta are mainly governed by the following treaties:
a. Commercial Agreement (1976)
b. Agreement on Scientific and Technical Cooperation (1976)
c. Cultural Agreement (1976)
d. Agreement on Economic, Industrial and Technical Cooperation (1980)
e. Agreement on Air Transport (1999)
f. Cooperation Agreement regarding Civil Protection (2001)
g. Agreement on Police Cooperation (2001)
h. Agreement on the Avoidance of double taxation (2004)
III. Political relations
The fact that both countries are E.U. partners, coupled with their common Mediterranean identity, and their considerable maritime presence provides the basis for successful cooperation both at bilateral level and within international organisations. Prime Minister Mr. Kostas Karamanlis carried out a visit to Valletta from 9 to 11 October 2008 and had meetings with the President of Malta, Mr. Edward Fenech-Adami, Prime Minister Mr. Lawrence Gonzi and the head of the main opposition party, Mr. Joseph Muscat.
The following recent visits should be noted:
- Visit by the then Prime Minister Simitis to Valetta (24-25.05.2001) in his capacity as President of the European Council.
- Visit to Greece by the then President of Malta, Mr. Guido de Marco (11-13.09.2002).
IV. Cultural relations
a) There is a Cultural Agreement dating from 1976 which is implemented by means of Cultural Programmes.
b) Greek Park: Following a Greek Government donation (1992), a Greek Park was created in Malta and inaugurated on 26.01.1997 by the then Foreign Minister T. Pangalos.
V. Greek community
There is a dwindling Greek community, consisting of 35 to 40 individuals, who have taken up residence in Malta chiefly on account of mixed marriages (there are also some 40 Maltese living in Greece). The Church of Saint George has been given to the local Greek community by the Maltese Government for a nominal fee.