I. Diplomatic Relations

There is Embassy-level representation. The Latvian Embassy in Greece was established in 1998, and the Greek Embassy in Riga was opened in January 2005.

II. Contractual Framework             

Greece and Latvia have signed a significant number of bilateral agreements, on matters that include maritime transport, protection and mutual promotion of investments, economic and technological cooperation, military cooperation, avoidance of double taxation, cultural, educational and scientific cooperation.

III. Political relations

Latvia became a NATO and EU member in 2004, and its relations with Greece were thus strengthened even further. For many years, there have been parliamentary friendship groups in both countries.

In October 2000, former President of the Hellenic Republic Mr. K. Stephanopoulos visited Latvia. Athens was visited by former Latvian President Ms. Vaira-Vike Freiberga on the occasion of the Olympic Games. The latest major visit of a Greek official to Latvia was that of Prime Minister Mr. Kostas Karamanlis within the framework of the Greek EU Presidency in May 2003.

The Greek Prime Minister had also visited Riga on the occasion of the NATO summit (29-30 November 2006). Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Valinakis also visited the country in March 2005 within the framework of an EU member states meeting on the 20072013 Financial Perspectives.

IV. Economic and trade relations

The level of trade between the two countries is relatively low but with an upward trend given Latvias accession to the EU. Greeces main exports in 2006 include: chemicals (19.2% of total exports), processed foods (18.7%), metals (18.7%), clothing (13.5%), fruit and vegetables (8.2%). Our main imports from Latvia in the same year include: timber (42% of total imports), minerals (17.3%), clothing (13.8%), etc. Greece has a steady trade surplus with Latvia.

There is a small flow of Latvian tourists into Greece, given the countrys small population - 2,350,000 inhabitants and its relatively small economy. There is no influx of Greek tourists to Latvia, but lately, their number has been rising.

V. Cultural relations

Greek-Latvian cultural relations are governed by the Agreement on Cultural, Educational and Scientific Cooperation   (signed in Athens, 17.3.1999, ratified 27.6.2001).

Riga University has a chair of Classical Literature which includes a Centre for Greek Studies, offering students also from different schools an optional Modern Greek module. Greece offers the Centres students the possibility to attend Modern Greek summer courses based on a special agreement between Athens University and Riga University, whereas teachers have attended summer seminars on Greek language and civilization at the Universities of Crete, Ioannina, Athens, and Thessaloniki.

VI. Greek community

Very few Greeks and some Latvians of Greek origin, mostly mixed-marriage children, live in the country .

Last modified: June 2008