I. Diplomatic relations

Greece has had an Embassy in Santiago since 1992, along with an Honorary Consulate in Antofagasta. For her part, Chile has an Embassy in Athens and Honorary Consulates in Piraeus, Thessaloniki, Crete and Kalamata.  

II. Framework of Treaties

The two countries have entered into the following bilateral agreements:

- Cultural Agreement: Signed in Athens on 14.5.1962

- Tourist Agreement between the G.N.T.O. and SERNATUR: Signed in Santiago on 15.9.1994.

- Framework agreement on economic, scientific and technological cooperation. Signed in Santiago on 15.9.1994

- Protocol for Consultations between Foreign Ministries. Signed in Athens on 10.7.1996.

- Agreement to abolish visas for diplomatic, government service, and official passports. Signed in Athens on  
  10.7.1996.

- Agreement for the promotion and mutual protection of investments. Signed on 10.7.1996.

The preceding agreements are supplemented by the EU-Chile Association Agreement of 2002.

III. Political relations

The bitter experience of dictatorship endured in swift succession first by Greece and subsequently by Chile brought the two peoples closer to one another, inter alia through the poems of Pablo Neruda, which were set to music by Mikis Theodorakis.

Now, despite the great geographical distance separating Greece from Chile, the two countries maintain strong ties based on their commonly shared values and principles, a fact that is reflected in their similar views on important international issues.

At multilateral level, the two countries cooperate widely in the context of International Organizations, particularly the United Nations, where Chile held a non-permanent Security Council seat from 2002 to 2004, whilst Greece has been serving her term in the same body since 2004.

Renewed impetus was given to the development of relations with Chile by the signature of the EU-Chile Association Agreement, which not only encompasses a free Trade Zone but also provides for political dialogue, along with extensive cooperation in several areas. In March 2003, during her EU Presidency term, Greece also hosted the Agreements first Council of Ministers.

Bilateral visits:

In June 2003, the then Speaker of the Chilean Parliament, Mrs. Isabel Allende, made an official visit to Greece at the invitation of the then Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament, Mr. A. Kaklamanis. In October of the same year, the Foreign Minister at the time, Mr. G. Papandreou, visited Chile, whilst Defence Minister Mrs. Michelle Bachelet visited Greece in 2004.

A parliamentary Greece-Chile Friendship Group has been set up in the Hellenic Parliament, promptly reciprocated by the Chilean Parliament. This development presages a further strengthening of relations between the two countries concerning their legislature in the near future.

IV. Economic and Trade Relations

The total volume of trade between Greece and Chile stands at about 90 million dollars. The trade balance shows a surplus in Chiles favour, chiefly on account of the different composition of imports and exports. Greece imports large quantities of copper from Chile (worth some 70 million dollars) while imports of farming produce are also rising as a result of the EU-Chile agreement. For her part, Greece exports foodstuffs and light industrial products, while there is significant Greek corporate investment activity, amounting to around 15 million dollars.

V. Cultural relations

Cultural relations between Greece and Chile are particularly developed. There is great interest in Chile for Greek letters and culture, with three centres of Hellenic studies: two in Santiago, namely at the Universidad de Chile and the Universidad Metropolitana, and a third in Valparaiso at the Universidad de Playa Ancha. The Centre of Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies at the Universidad de Chile produces some highly significant publishing work and is regarded as the leading centre of its kind in Latin America.

An important cultural event was the establishment in 2004 of a Chilean Committee in support of the Greek demand for the reunification of the Parthenon Marbles, under the chairmanship of former Foreign Minister, Senator Gabriel Valdes, with members that include several highly regarded Chileans such as Home Secretary J. M. Insulza and Defence Secretary Mr. J. Ravinet.

VI. The Greek Community

There is a very energetic, albeit small Greek community in Chile, numbering some 1,500 people including second and third generation Greeks. Despite the great distance separating them from their homeland, the Greeks of Chile maintain their emotional ties with Greece. Most of them participate actively in local associations (Santiago, Valparaiso, La Serena, Coquimbo and Antofagasta) while the church of Sts Constantine and Helena serves as an important focal point.

The General Secretariat of Greeks Abroad organizes annual hospitality programmes to provide to children and young people of Greek extraction, and the elderly with the opportunity to visit Greece.

VII. Embassy Details