I. Diplomatic Relations
In Brazil in addition to the Embassy in Brasilia, there are two Greek General Consulates and four Honorary Consulates.
II. Framework of Treaties
The following agreements have been concluded between Greece and Brazil:
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Agreement to Abolish Visas for Diplomatic Passport Holders (1961).
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Trade Agreement (1976).
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Social Security Agreement (1985).
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Administrative Agreement for the Implementation of the Social Security Agreement (1992).
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Tourist Agreement (signed in 2002).
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Cultural Agreement (2004).
III. Political Relations
Bilateral relations have always been good and are progressing smoothly.
Both Greece and Brazil are non-permanent members of the UN Security Council for 2005.
High level meetings to date:
Brazil: in 2002, a visit by a Parliamentary Delegation to Greece
In March 2003, a meeting between the then Minister of Foreign Affairs G. Papandreou and the Brazilian Minister of Foreign Affairs Celso Amorim on the sidelines of the Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Rio and Mercosur groups with the EU, in Athens during the Greek presidency of the EU in the first half of 2003.
Greece: A visit by the then Prime Minister K. Simitis on the occasion of the EU LAC Summit Meeting in Rio de Janeiro in 1999.
A reciprocal visit by a Greek Parliamentary Delegation in April 2003.
IV. Economic and Trade Relations
According to data provided by the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Trade the volume of trade between the two countries remains low and the trade balance shows an approximate 1:4 deficit for Greece (Greek exports US $48 million as opposed to $179 million for the 11 months of 2004). The volume of trade has nonetheless increased in comparison with 2003, since for that entire year Greek exports stood at US$24.2 million against imports from Brazil amounting to US$136.8 million, i.e. a ratio of approximately 1 to 5.
The distance, currency fluctuations, and bureaucracy all have a negative effect on the development of trade.
The reactivation of the Greek-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce and the re-opening of the Office of Economic and Trade Affairs in Sao Paolo, Brazils commercial centre, are expected to have a positive impact on the development of our bilateral trade links.
Numbers of tourists coming to Greece are insignificant. However, there are prospects for co-operation in the tourist sector. A potential direct air connection between Brazil and Greece will create favourable conditions for increasing the number of tourists visiting our country.
V. Cultural Relations
The holding of the Olympic Games in Greece provided the opportunity for several events to be organised, which promoted our country in general terms, and the Greek community in Brazil in particular. They included an exhibition of photographs of ancient coins depicting Olympic Sports that was shown in Brasilia, Sao Paolo and Rio de Janeiro.
Modern Greek is taught in Universities in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paolo, Curitiba, Minas Gerais and Brasilia. In Sao Paolo there is also a Greek school called the Instituto Educacional Ateniense.
VI. The Greek Community
The Greek community in Brazil is estimated at between 25,000 and 30,000 people.