I. Diplomatic Relations

Greece is represented in Bolivia through the parallel accreditation of the Greek Embassy in Buenos Aires, and Bolivia is represented in Greece by her Embassy in Rome. There is an honorary Greek Consulate in Santa Cruz.

II. Framework of Treaties

On 23^rd April 1999, when a relevant decision by the Schengen Executive Committee entered into force, visas for diplomatic, service and regular passport holders were reciprocally abolished.

III. Political Relations

Relations between Greece and Bolivia are very good and the smooth co-operation which exists between the two countries is mostly expressed in agreements regarding reciprocal support of candidacies in International Organisations and Conventions.

Bilateral contacts at ministerial level, albeit helpful for the advancement of national issues and broadening of our economic ties, are limited, chiefly due to the distance separating the two regions, and tend only to take place on the sidelines of the meetings of International Organisations, mostly during the work of the UN General Assembly and of Ministerial Meetings between the Member States of the European Union and the Rio Group.

The presence of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, T. Pangalos, in Bolivia (Cochabamba) in 1996 should be flagged up, on the occasion of the 6th Ministerial session of the Rio Group and EU Member States, as should the 1993 visit by the then President of the Republic of Bolivia, Paz Zamora, to Greece. As a participant in the Socialist International he took the opportunity to meet with the President and Prime Minister of Greece.

IV. Economic and Trade Relations

Trade between the two countries is extremely limited, which can be attributed inter alia to the distance, the landlocked nature of Bolivia, her standard of living, but also to the products available.

According to data provided by the Statistical Office of Bolivia, Bolivian exports to Greece amounted to $264 thousand in 1996, to $6 thousand in 1999, to $70 thousand in 2001 and to $68 thousand in 2003. Imports from Greece stood at $834 in 1996, at $75 thousand in 2000, at $71 thousand in 2001 and at $55 thousand in 2002. 

V. The Greek Community

Bolivia has never been a pole of attraction for immigrants from Greece, and the very few Greeks who chose to settle in the country arrived between 1920 and 1925 from Asia Minor.

There are currently some 180 people of Greek descent (20 families) in the country, the majority living in the comparatively more developed city of Santa Cruz. Their economic status is average to good. Even though the majority no longer speak Greek, they strive to preserve Greek habits and customs as far as possible.

VI. Embassy Details- Buenos Aires