I. Diplomatic Relations

Greece and Poland established diplomatic relations in 1919, and exchanged Ambassadors in 1922.

II. Framework of Treaties

The main inter-state treaties are:

a) Memorandum of Mutual Understanding on Cooperation in the Defence Industry (Warsaw, 29/06/2004),

b) Agreement on economic, scientific, and technical cooperation in Agriculture and Food Economics (Athens, 07/09/1995),

c) Agreement on Cooperation in Science and Technology (Warsaw, 09/11/1998) and,

d) Agreement on the avoidance of double taxation (28/05/1987).

III. Political Relations

Bilateral relations between Greece and Poland, which are partners in the E.U. and allies in NATO, are showing renewed momentum following Polands accession to the E.U., thus providing fresh prospects for further growth.

The most important visits made to Poland in 2004 were:

a) the visit by Deputy Defence Minister V. Mihaloliakos (28-29/06/2004), aimed at boosting defence industry cooperation between the two countries. To this end the two countries signed the Memorandum of Mutual Understanding on Cooperation in the Defence Industry

b)  the visit by Deputy Foreign Minister Y. Valinakis who participated in the Warsaw Meeting of interested E.U. member states (03/12/2004) in a 3+10 format with the main objective of addressing E.U. financial issues, particularly the new financial perspectives and the Community budget for 2007- 2013.

IV. Economic and Trade Relations

The bilateral trade balance for 2003 showed a surplus for Greece of 38.2m euros, whilst, on the strength of data for the first nine months of 2004, the situation will be reversed with Greece running a 5m euro deficit against Poland. Our exports to Poland from 2000 to 2003 rose from 94.6 to 177.2m euros.

The main products exported to the Polish market are fruit and citrus fruits. Some 38% of imports from Poland are made up of vehicles, television sets and washing machines.

The main Greek companies active in Poland are the Hellenic Bottling Company Coca Cola, Maillis and Germanos.

As far as tourism is concerned, the number of Poles visiting Greece from 1999-2002 grew to reach 235,000 visitors. However, for 2003 and 2004, the number of visitors fell to around 200,000.

V. Cultural Relations

The new Programme of Cultural and Educational Cooperation, which is to remain in force until 2007, was signed in Warsaw on 14/01/2004. On 16/04/2004 the Greek Embassy held an event under the auspices of the President of the Republic of Poland to present the programme for the 2001-2004 Cultural Olympiad. The opening of the exhibition Olympiad devoted to sports and Greek art of the 6th and 5th century B.C. took place on 14/05/2004. The Embassy, in cooperation with the Warsaw Chamber Opera, organised a concert of Ancient Greek Music, which was given on 20/05/2004.

Greek-related cultural bodies include the Association of Friends of Greece, the Modern Greek Studies Department of the University of Warsaw and the Adam Mickiewicz Institute.

VI. The Greek Community

The Greek diaspora comprises some 3,000 individuals, half of whom are residents of Wroclaw in SW Poland. That is also where the Association of Greeks in Poland is based, although it has branches in the major Polish towns.

VII. Embassy Details