I. Diplomatic Relations

In 1990, diplomatic relations were upgraded from Diplomatic Representation to Embassy level.

II. Framework of Treaties

- Main bilateral Agreements

Military Cooperation

Economic, Industrial and Technological Cooperation

Educational, Training and Cultural Cooperation

Tourism Cooperation

Agricultural Cooperation

III. Political Relations

- The Greek Position on the Middle East: Greece supports the successful conclusion of the peace process within the framework of the Road Map, aimed at achieving a negotiated solution based on the principle of two states, and the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions. She is also in favour of implementation of the plan to withdraw from the Gaza Strip and the northern part of the West Bank, in accordance with the conditions stipulated by the March 2004 European Council, i.e. that: a) this should take place within the context of the Road Map, b) it should be a step towards a two State solution, c) it would not involve a transfer of settlement activity towards the West Bank, d) there would be an organised and negotiated handover of responsibility to the Palestinian Authority, and e) Israel would facilitate the reconstruction of Gaza.

Finally, our country supports an overall solution to the Middle East problem, including its Syrian-Lebanese facet, always within the context of UN Security Council Resolutions, and the Madrid Conferences principle of land for peace.

- High- level visits: the most important visits over the last 5 years have been those by the President of the Republic, K. Stephanopoulos, in 2000, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, G. Papandreou, in 2002 and 2003 (the latter in his capacity as President of the E.U. Council of Ministers).

IV. Economic and Trade Relations

- Trade: Greek exports for 2007 fell by 47.6%, whereas Israeli exports to Greece rose by 20.3% compared to 2006. The total volume of bilateral trade fell by 74.8 million euros (-18.3%), and the trade balance showed a deficit of 90.8 million euros to the detriment of Greece, in the same period.

- Investment: Over recent years, there has been no major Greek interest in investment, mainly due to the regions political instability and its effect on the economic and business environment. Israeli business interest in investing in Greece has, however, held up, mainly in tourism, trade and high tech. There was also a great deal of interest in contracting work related to the organisation of the Olympic Games, in the security area in particular.

- Development Aid: Not provided, since Israel already counts as a developed economy.

- Israeli tourist flows to Greece: Over the last 4 years there has been a slight downward trend amounting to 10% each year, attributable to the fact that the Greek tourist market has become much more expensive for the average Israeli since the introduction of the Euro and the increase in prices. Some 120,000 Israeli tourists visited Greece in 2004.

V. The Greek Community

- Numerical Presence: There are some 250 people of Greek descent living in Israel and the Palestinian Territories, most of them (about 120) in Jerusalem, the remainder in various towns and villages.

VI. Cultural Relations

- Main Greek Cultural Activities: The main Greek cultural activity in 2004 was the participation of the State Theatre of Northern Greeces well-known Octana dance theatre in Tel Avivs famous DancEuropa annual dance festival (November). A further event worthy of note was the holding of the 2nd Meeting of Greek and Israeli Authors in Israel in February 2005, with the participation of Kostas Mourselas, Pavlos Matessis, Amos Oz and Abraham Yehoshua amongst others. This was a follow-up to last years meeting in Kalamata. It should, however, be noted that the Greek cultural presence in Israel has declined since 2000 due to the security risks faced by potential participants as a result of the unstable political situation. 

- Greek Cultural and Educational Bodies: The Chair of Modern Greek Studies at Haifa University, which is mainly funded by the Onassis Foundation.

VII. Embassy Details

Last Modified: December 2008