I. Diplomatic Relations

Diplomatic relations are maintained through Embassies in Vienna and Athens.

II. Framework of Treaties

Amongst the bilateral treaties still in force (several having been superseded between E.U. partners) are:

- an agreement for the avoidance of double taxation, 22.9.1970 (L.D. 994/1971, entered into force on 5.1.1972)

- an agreement on the protection of appellations of origin, indications of provenance, and nomenclature of agricultural, industrial, or manufacturing products, 5.6.1960 (entered into force 8.1972)

III. Political Relations

Austria's accession to the E.U. in 1995 was instrumental in bringing about a further strengthening of her ties with Greece.

IV. Economic and Trade Relations

According to data from the Austrian Statistical Agency the volume of trade between Greece and Austria in the first ten months of 2004 amounted to a total of 507.75m euros, as opposed to 543.30m euros for the same period in 2003.

Between January and October 2004 Greek exports grew by 4.5%, amounting to roughly 121.52m euros. Austrian exports to Greece dropped by 9.5%, amounting to roughly 386.24m euros. The majority of Greek exports to Austria are in the following product categories: Fresh fruit and vegetables, meat and meat products, beverages, raw materials (scrap metal), chemical products (organic chemistry products and pharmaceuticals) and vehicles. Austrian exports to Greece include the following main product classes: Food (meat and meat products, coffee), raw materials (paper pulp), energy products (natural gas), chemical products (dyes and inorganic chemical substances), vehicles, furniture, and footwear. A few Austrian companies are investing in Greece (the same cannot be said of Greek companies investing in Austria), while Austrian businesses conducted projects to the tune of some 60m euros for Greece's Olympic preparation.

Until August 2005, according to data from the Greek National Statistical Service, the trade balance shows a deficit balance for Greece which amounted to 180.21 million. More specifically Greek exports to Austria amount to 98.77 million (-2.7% decline I comparison to 2004) and Austrian exports 278.98 million (-13.8% decline in comparison to 2004).

Greece is the second tourist destination for Austrians, following Italy, and in 2004 some 600,000 Austrians came to Greece.

V. Cultural Relations

Vienna is an excellent centre of the arts with an enormous range of cultural activities and a dedicated music-loving and theatre-going public. As every year, Agnes Baltsa, the celebrated mezzo, made a highly successful appearance at the Staatsoper and also gave a solo recital, while the young Greek mezzo, Antigone Papoulka, also sang in Vienna (at the Staatsoper and the Volksoper). Soprano Althea Papoulia is based in Vienna. Renowned Greek classical music soloists such as violinist L. Kavakos and J. Vakarelis, and S. Yannatou in a different branch of music, gave concerts in two of Viennas most august concert halls (the Musikverein and the Konzerthaus). Young Greek musicians living in Austria also performed Greek programmes (of classical and other music), while M. Theodorakis ballet Zorba was staged in Sankt Plten. The Schnberg Centre gave a concert, performed by Greek musicians, to commemorate the centenary of Nikos Skalkottas birth, while a Musicology colloquium was held in Vienna to celebrate the same anniversary. The Embassy, along with the Press Office, organized a series of events to promote the writing of Greek authors (N. Kazantzakis, P. Margaris, I. Karystiani). Finally, the Greek Embassy organized a comprehensive showcase of Greek artistic and intellectual output in Baden, a famous spa town near Vienna, in collaboration with local municipal authorities and the Baden Casino congress centre (15.4-23.5.04). Events included dinner for 400 guests on the theme of the Athens Olympic Games, a film festival, photography exhibition, concerts of classical and other music, and a literary evening on Nikos Kavvadias.

In September 2005, the Greek Embassy organized a series of events, called Autumn in Vienna which was attended by a large number of Austrians.  On Sept. 16^th to Oct 10^th, a photography exhibition of G. Seferis was shown in conjunction with the Cultural Institute of National Bank of Greece. On Sept 17^th, in conjunction with the National Radio and Television of Austria (ORF), a very successful Street Party outside the  Greek Embassy with Greek musicians and dancers and with an exhibition about the Greeks of Vienna held in the Embassy. On Sept 21^st, new Greek musicians were presented at Radiokulturhaus under the joint auspice of the Greek Embassy and ORF. Finally, 4 concerts were given at Konzerthaus in Vienna by Maria Farandouri singing Theodorakis (4/10/05), Elli Paspala singing Xadjidaki (13/10/05), Giorgos Dallaras (22/10/05) and Dionysis Savopoulos (27/10/05). Also, on Oct 25^th, the Embassy organized a special event in honor of the Austrian Olympic winners of the Athens 2004 Games which the Deputy Government Spokesman, Mr. Andonaros, attended.

The success of the Greek movie Politiki Kouzina by director T. Boulmetis in Austria should also be mentioned. With the initiative of the Embassy, the director was present at the official opening of the movie in Vienna.

Finally, last November, in the framework of the International Movie Festival EUXXL in the city of Krems, the Greek/Turkish movie The Hostage was awarded. The director, Kostas Giannaris, attended the festival and received the award.

Last but not least, the University of Vienna has run an Institute of Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies since 1962. The institute enjoys great prestige in German speaking countries, and provides full-time employment for six Byzantine and two Modern Greek scholars.

VI. The Greek Community

The presence of the Greek diaspora in Austria dates back to the 18^th century, with its historic Greek community in Vienna which produced figures such as Rigas Pheraios, Anthimos Gazis, Neophytos Doukas, the Ypsilanti family, et al, as well as great benefactors of the Greek state, and also of the Austro-Hungarian nation, such as the Sina and Doumbas families. Mention should also be made of the Hellenic National School, the oldest such in the world that has remained continuously in operation. It currently operates as a mother-tongue school, with over 200 pupils in primary and secondary education, taught by teachers seconded from the Ministry of Education. The present Greek community is mainly composed of university students and entrepreneurs who came to Austria in the 1960s and 1970s. Their number is estimated to be in the region of 5,000 persons throughout the country, about half of whom are Greek nationals. Apart from the two historical Greek-Orthodox parishes (St George and Holy Trinity), there are 9 Greek associations in Vienna and several major Austrian towns, whilst a Federation of Hellenic Associations in Austria was established in 2004, with 5 associations on its current roll of members. There are also several Greek-Austrian friendship associations in the major towns, of predominantly Austrian membership. Finally, Vienna is the seat of the Holy Diocese of Austria and the Exarchy of Hungary and Middle Europe, under the pastoral care of H.E. Metropolitan Michael Staikos.

VII. Embassy Details