I. Diplomatic Relations

Diplomatic relations between Greece and Hungary were established on 23/7/1956, but representation through Embassies began on 24/8/1964.

II. Framework of Treaties

Hungarys accession to the European Union on 1/5/2004 voided several bilateral agreements. A Programme on Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Cooperation has been renewed for the period 2003-2005. A Memorandum of Cooperation was signed on facilitating the transfer of IT and communication technology.

The two countries' economic relations are governed by the following agreements:

- Air Cooperation agreement (1963)

- Agreement on the Avoidance of Double Taxation on Income (1984).

- Agreement on the promotion and Protection of Investments (1989).

- Agreement on Economic, Industrial and Technological Cooperation (1980)

- Agreement on international road transport (1977).

- Tourism Cooperation Agreement (1987).

- Agreement on agricultural cooperation (2001).

III. Political relations

Greece and Hungary are both EU and NATO members. There are regular political contacts at all levels, which greatly contribute to further strengthening bilateral relations.

The President of the Hellenic Republic, Mr. Karolos Papoulias carried out a state visit to Budapest from 27 to 29 March 2007 . Mr. Papoulias visited Budapest for a second time from 8-10/11/2007, where he attended the World Science Forum and the meeting of Green Presidents.

Foreign Minister Ms. D. Bakoyannis carried out an official visit to Hungary, where she had meetings with the Hungarian Prime Minister, Mr. F. Gyurcsany, and her Hungarian counterpart, Ms. K. Goncz. Culture Minister Mr. Michalis Liapis visited Budapest in March 2008 (on the occasion of the inauguration of the exhibition Greek Cultural Treasures in Hungary). The Foreign Minister of Hungary Mr. Goncz visited Athens on 11/09/08 on the occasion of the inauguration of a photography exhibition entitled Greeks in Hungary, which was organised by the Hungarian Embassy. He also had meetings with President Mr. Papoulias, Foreign Minister Ms. Bakoyannis and Culture Minister Mr. Liapis and he announced the return to Greece of 22 antiquities of Greek origin, which had been illegally exported from Greece, and had been bought in 1992 by the Museum of Fine Arts of Budapest and exhibited there ever since.

IV. Cultural/Educational relations

Educational relations between Greece and Hungary are governed by the 1977 Bilateral Educational Agreement, implemented through three-year Executive Programmes, the latest of which covers the period 2002-2005 (still in force).

There are also seven University Chairs of Hellenic Studies in 7 Hungarian universities and one Chair of Modern Greek at the University Eotvos Lorand of Budapest, which is annually subsidised by the Ministry of Culture.

V. Greek community

The Greek Community in Hungary totals 4,500-5,000 persons and has been officially recognized as a minority, with concomitant political and financial benefits. The Pan-Hungarian Greek Self-Government is the supreme collective body of the Greek community, and there are several self-governing bodies, with their locally elected officials. The Mayor of the Belloyannis village is traditionally Greek.