I. Diplomatic Relations
There is Embassy level representation. The Greek Embassy in Tallinn opened in January 2005.
II. Framework of Treaties
- Agreement on Cultural, Educational, and Scientific Cooperation (1999).
- Agreement on the Promotion and Mutual Protection of Investments (1997).
- Maritime Transport Agreement (1997).
- International passenger and goods transport agreement (1999).
- Memorandum of bilateral Economic cooperation (1999).
- Cooperation agreement in respect of Tourism (1999).
III. Political Relations
Greece and Estonia cooperate closely within the context of several international organizations, and particularly within the European Union and NATO, of which both are members.
IV. Economic and Trade Relations
Trade between Greece and Estonia is limited, with the trade balance for 2003 showing a slight surplus for Greece. In 2003, Greece exported goods worth 7.7m euros to Estonia, and imported goods worth 7.6m euros.
More specifically, the trade balance for the three years 2001-2003 was as follows:
|
Trade Balance between Greece and Estonia in |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
|
Greek exports |
5,544,856 |
7,234,743 |
7,706,014 |
|
Estonian exports |
5,373,120 |
7.063,497 |
7.683,646 |
|
Balance |
171,736 |
171,246 |
22,368 |
Main Greek exports to Estonia:
About 60% of our exports in 2003 consisted of processed foods and beverages, textile products and plastics.
Main Estonian imports to Greece:
Pelts and furs represented the highest percentage of our total imports from Estonia in 2003 (31.8%), followed by fossil fuels and oils, and timber (roughly 42%).
There has been no significant Greek investment activity in Estonia.
Tourist relations
The number of Estonian tourists to Greece cannot be determined with any degree of accuracy (Greece serving as an interim stop in a wider tour package available to Estonians). It is estimated that the number of Estonian tourists coming to Greece in 2003 was in the region of 5.000.
V. Cultural Relations
Cultural and educational relations between Greece and Estonia are also very good. On the occasion of the Athens Olympic Games, the National Museum of Sports in Estonia organized a major exhibition entitled The Wind of Greece which lasted six months. Thanks to the good offices of the Greek Embassy in Helsinki (which until recently was also accredited to Estonia), a wealth of exhibits in the form of audiovisual and photographic material was sent from Greece to enhance the exhibition, which was visited inter alia by all Estonian pupils in primary and secondary education.
Finally, there has been significant collaboration in recent years between Greek and Estonian institutes of the arts, the most recent example of which is the undertaking realized jointly by the Frysiras Museum in Athens and the Prnu township museum, leading to numerous exhibitions with works by Greek artists being held in Estonia.
VI. Embassy Details