I. Diplomatic relations

Greece established diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates in the first years of the state’s independence (1971), and opened an Embassy in Abu Dhabi in 1989. The UAE is represented in Greece by its Embassy in Rome.

II. Contractual Framework – Major Interstate Agreements

1.       Air transport agreement concerning mainly Olympic Airlines (Abu Dhabi, 16/12/1991, ratified by Law 2117/1993, Government Gazette 19A/18.2.1993)

2.       Framework agreement for economic, educational and technical cooperation (Abu Dhabi, 21/6/1976, ratified by Law 640/1977, Government Gazette 197A/15.7.1977), which came into effect on 1/12/1980.

During the visit of a Greek business delegation to the United Arab Emirates from 17 to 22/2/2006, a Cooperation Protocol was signed between the Federation of Greek Industries (SEV) and the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

3.       Memorandum of Understanding with a view to facilitating Greek military personnel travelling to Afghanistan through the UAE.

III. Political Relations

Greek-UAE bilateral relations are today at a very satisfactory level. The Arab world has good intentions vis-a-vis the Greek people for historical reasons, thus leaving room to significantly strengthen and deepen our bilateral relations with the UAE. Apart from the efforts undertaken to upgrade our bilateral relations in certain areas, such as the economy and culture, there is also an effort to upgrade political relations.

The President of the Hellenic Republic, Mr. Karolos Papoulias, carried out a state visit to the UAE (27-29/11/2006), heading a large delegation (officials, businesspeople and journalists), accompanied by the Minister of Mercantile Marine Mr. Manolis Kefalogiannis, Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Evripidis Stylianidis and Deputy Ministers for Economy and Finance Mr. Christos Folias and Mr. Petros Doukas.

During this visit, a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the corresponding Chamber in Dubai.

Other visits: Minister of Mercantile Marine Mr. Kefalogiannis carried out a visit to the UAE from 31/3 to 5/4/2006, during which he had a series of meetings on issues within his competence.

Foreign Minister Ms. D. Bakoyannis, accompanied by Foreign Minister Mr. Stylianidis and a large business delegation, carried out a visit to the UAE from 13-15/2/2007.

IV. Economic and Trade Relations

More than 40 countries of Greek interests operate in the United Arab Emirates.

V. Cultural relations between Greece and the United Arab Emirates

Greece’s cultural relations with the UAE are not particularly developed, and therefore there is room for improvement.

In 2006, the Embassy of Greece, in collaboration with “Alliance Française”, organised and inaugurated the cultural activities of a “philosophical union” in Abu Dhabi; at the union’s meetings, issues relevant to the region were also included (Neo-Platonism, Sufism, Orientalism, and “myth and speech”).

VI. The Greek community

About 1000 Greeks live and work in the UAE, most of whom are in Dubai (executives, businessmen). There are no organised Greek communities. There are two (informal) Greek schools, whose teachers are sent by the Ministry of Education.

The Greek Orthodox Church of the UAE is under the jurisdiction of the Antioch Patriarchate; the Bishop is the Metropolitan of Bagdad and Kuwait Constantine. There is a Greek Orthodox Church of St Nikolaos in Abu Dhabi. The construction of a church in Dubai is expected to be completed in 2008.

VII. Embassy Details

                                                                                                                        Last modified: December 2008