I. Diplomatic Relations
In 2008, Greece and Russia celebrate 180 years of diplomatic relations. Since their official establishment, these relations remain excellent.
Our country is represented by its Embassy in Moscow and the General Consulates in Moscow, Saint Petersburg and Novorossiysk. The Russian Federation has an Embassy in Athens and a General Consulate in Thessaloniki.
II. Political relations
The two countries are connected with strong bonds of friendship based, among other things, on their common spiritual and cultural values as well as their common historical experiences. Today, Greek-Russian political relations are conducted in a spirit of close cooperation and mutual trust. There is also long-standing cooperation in the economic and energy sector. With regard to cultural matters, there are significant opportunities for cooperation due to the rich cultural heritage of both countries.
Another important factor contributing to the development of relations between the two countries is the historical presence of a significant number of Russians of Greek origin, mostly in the southernmost regions of Russia.
III. Framework of Treaties
The framework of treaties covers all areas of cooperation between the two countries (political, economic, defense, energy, cultural, etc.).
The following bilateral agreements between Greece and Russia are worth noting:
1. Friendship and Cooperation Agreement (1993)
2. Agreement on Economic, Industrial, Technological, and Scientific Cooperation (1993).
During the visit of Prime Minister Mr. Kostas Karamanlis to Russia (December 2004), the following texts were signed:
i. Joint Declaration on further strengthening relations of friendship and cooperation,
ii. Joint Declaration on Terrorism, and
iii. Joint Greek-Russian Action Plan for the years 2005-2006.
The above-mentioned action plan provided for regular consultations on issues of common interest between the two Foreign Ministries, and it was implemented in a satisfactory manner in most of the areas that it covered, with an emphasis on the economic sector and, in particular, the sectors of energy, bilateral trade, and tourism.
On 30-31/5/2007, Foreign Minister Ms. Dora Bakoyannis and Russian Foreign Minister Mr. Sergei Lavrov signed the new Joint Greek-Russian Action Plan, in the presence of Greek President Mr. Karolos Papoulias and Russian President Mr. Vladimir Putin. This new action plan reflects the broad scope of bilateral cooperation and the dynamism of Greek-Russian relations by setting specific goals for their development in the political, economic, educational, justice and public order sectors.
IV. Bilateral Contacts
The high level of political bilateral relations is confirmed by exchanges of high-level visits and frequent consultations between the two Foreign Ministries. The following recent visits are worth noting:
-The state visit of the President of the Hellenic Republic, Mr. K. Papoulias, to Moscow from 7 to 9 May 2005, where he attended celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, following an invitation by Russian President V. Putin. The President of the Hellenic Republic was presented with a special honorary award for his participation in the resistance fight against the occupation forces.
-The meeting of Prime Minister Karamanlis with President Putin on 4/9/2006 of particular importance for the promotion of bilateral relations in the economic and energy sector during the latters short working visit to Athens aimed at promoting the construction of the Burgas-Alexandroupoli oil pipeline, a project that was discussed within the framework of the trilateral meeting between Greece, Russia and Bulgaria.
-Russian Prime Minister Mr. Fradkov carried out a state visit to Athens, during which the two countries reconfirmed their joint will to further develop bilateral economic cooperation in the fields of trade and energy. A Joint Declaration was also adopted in the field of tourism. Greece and Russia also signed a Joint Declaration on the BSEC. An agreement was signed on the repayment of Russian Federation debts to Greece.
-On 22-23/11/2006, Foreign Minister Ms. Bakoyannis reciprocated her Russian counterparts working visit to Athens (6/2/2006) with a state visit to Moscow and Saint Petersburg, where she met with Russian Foreign Minister Mr. Lavrov, Security Council Secretary Mr. Ivanov, Deputy Speaker of the Russian State Duma Mr.Volkov, and Governor of Saint Petersburg Ms. Matviyenko. The abovementioned meetings confirmed the excellent climate reigning over bilateral relations and the wish to develop and deepen them, particularly in the economic sector. The two sides also noted the convergence of views between them on a series of international and regional issues.
-On 5-6/12/2006, first deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Mr. Sergei Ivanov visited Athens.
-Russian President Mr. Putin paid a further visit to Athens on 14-15/3/2007 to attend the signing of the historic inter-state agreement between Greece, Russia, and Bulgaria on the construction of the Burgas-Alexandroupoli oil pipeline. On the sidelines of the signing ceremony, he had meetings with President of the Hellenic Republic Mr. K. Papoulias and Prime Minister Mr. K. Karamanlis, confirming the continuous upward course and strengthening of the traditionally excellent Greek-Russian relations, as well as the new prospects that are opening up for the deepening of their bilateral economic, trade and energy cooperation, following the signing of the above-mentioned agreement.
-President Papoulias carried out a state visit to Moscow and Saint Petersburg (30.5-2.6.2007), accompanied by a large Greek delegation. The Greek President met with President Putin, Patriarch Alexius II of Moscow and All Russia, and Prime Minister Fradkov, as well as with the Governor of Saint Petersburg, Ms. Matviyenko.
-Prime Minister Mr. Kostas Karamanlis carried out a working visit to Moscow (18-19/12/2007). He had meetings with Russian President Mr. Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Mr. Viktor Zubkov and Patriarch Alexius II of Moscow and All Russia. The above-mentioned meetings confirmed the excellent climate reigning over bilateral relations and the wish to develop and deepen them, particularly in the economic sector. More particularly, new impetus was given to the works for the construction of the Burgas-Alexandroupoli oil pipeline by the signing of a protocol on the creation of the pipelines company. A potential participation of Greece in the implementation of the South Stream pipeline was also discussed. The Greek side also put forward a proposal for the opening of a Greek House in Moscow with a permanent exhibition of certified Greek products.
-With regard to the economic sector, the 6th Meeting of the Greek-Russian Committee on Economic, Industrial, Technological and Scientific Cooperation took place in Athens on 18-19/02/2008. The Greek delegation was headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. P. Doukas and the Russian delegation by Russian Minister of Agriculture Mr. A. Gordeev.
-From 19-22 March 2008, Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Valinakis, who was on a visit to Moscow, had contacts with his Russian counterparts Mr. Grushko, Mr. Denisov and Mr. Titov, and also visited the exhibition.
-Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Petros Doukas, accompanied by 200 Greek entrepreneurs, carried out a three-day visit (1-3/06/2008) to Moscow, where he also had a meeting with his counterpart Mr. Andrey Denisov.
-Finally, Prime Minister Mr. Kostas Karamanlis visited the Russian capital on 29 April 2008, where he met with Mr. Putin and Mr. Medvedev.
V. Cultural and Educational relations
There is excellent cooperation between the two countries in the cultural field. Over the past few years, several exhibitions, concerts, scientific conferences, philological seminars, publications and other important cultural events have been held on the initiative, or with the cooperation, of our Embassy in Russia. More particularly, a series of Greek events on the history, culture and traditions of Mount Athos were held with great success. A symphonic concert was held to celebrate the centenary of the birth of Nikos Skalkotas.
Also a series of cultural events entitled Days of Greece were held in Saint Petersburg from 21/10/2006 to 15/12/2006.
The construction of a new school complex for 250 pupils in Beslan (North Ossetia) is financed with Greek funds. The school will be named after Ioannis Kanidis, the teacher of Greek origin, who tragically died in the Beslan school siege in September 2004. A hostel-orphanage for 120-130 children and a library-study hall are also being built.
On 31/5/2007, on the sidelines of his state visit to Moscow, the President of the Hellenic Republic inaugurated the statue of the brothers Ioannikios and Sofronios Leichoudi, the Greek scholars and professors who founded the Slavic-Greek-Latin Academy of Moscow, the first higher education institute in Russia. On 1/6/2007, the Hellenic Foundation for Culture, in association with the Moscow State Historical Museum, organised a Greek-Russian scientific conference entitled The Greek scholars and professors, brothers Leichoudi, and Russian civilization (end of 17th cent.-beginning of 18th cent.). Twelve researchers from Greece and Russia participated in the conference, which shed light on the life and valuable work of the Leichoudi brothers.
During Mr. Karamanlis visit to Moscow (18-19/12/2007), the decision was taken to further upgrade our cultural relations, and within this framework the Prime Minister announced a pilot scheme for the introduction of Russian as the second foreign language to be taught in Greek secondary schools. This measure mostly covers the needs of Russian-speaking repatriates of Greek origin. In view of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, the two sides decided to declare 2013 the year of Greece in Russia and vice versa.
VI. Embassy details (Moscow, Russia)
Head of Mission: Ambassador Mr. Elias Klis
Address: LeontiefskiPer. 4,125009 Moscow
tel.:(007495)2901446,7753700-Fax:7716510
E-mail:gremb.mow@mfa.gr
Last modified: October 2008