I. Diplomatic Relations
The level of our bilateral relations is exceptionally good as Greece has warmly supported and contributed to Romanias entry into NATO and prompt accession into the European Union.
II. Framework of Treaties
- Agreement on Final Settlement of the Repayment of Social Security Contributions for Repatriate Greek Political Refugees from Romania (Athens, 23.02.1996)
- Convention for Legal Aid in Civil and Criminal Issues
- Agreement on Return (Athens, 06.06.1994)
- Cultural Agreement (Bucharest, 03.11.1995)
- Cooperation Agreement in Science and Technology (Bucharest, 14.12.1993)
- Agreement on Early Notification of Nuclear Accidents and the Exchange of Information on Nuclear Installations (Athens, 10.03.1995)
- Military Cooperation Agreement (Athens, 24.05.2002)
- Five-Year Development Cooperation Agreement for the provision of 70.43 million Euros during the period 2002-2006 (Bucharest, 20.07.2002).
III. Political Relations-Visits
A number of particularly important visits have been conducted by Greek officials at all levels
- President of the Hellenic Republic, K. Stephanopoulos
- Foreign Minister, P. Molyviatis, (within the framework of the Inter-Balkan Cooperation SEECP Ministerial Summit), Bucharest, 10-11.05.2005.
- The visit by the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I in October 2004 was seen as particularly important in Romania and attracted considerable publicity.
- On the Romanian side, Romanian President Iliescu and Prime Minister Nastase attended the Olympic Games Opening and Closing Ceremonies respectively. Finally, the Romanian Prime Minister Popescu Tariceanu paid a working visit to Athens on July 6, 2005.
- Greece has actively contributed to Romanias incorporation into NATO and continues to firmly support the countrys accession to the EU.
- Greece was the fifth member state of the EU and first among the old members to ratify the Treaty of Accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the EU. The event was celebrated in a special plenary session of the Greek Parliament, which the Presidents of both countries were invited to attend (02.11.2005).
V. Economic Relations
Over the past four years, Greek investments in Romania have increased considerably despite a number of lingering issues mainly related with bureaucratic red tape. Greek investment activity covers a broad range of economic sectors, such as banking, telecommunications, consultancy and financial services, construction, food and beverages, shipping, textiles, IT, insurance, packaging, plastics, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.
In 2005, according to data from Greeces Statistics Service, Greek exports have risen by 6.17% compared to 2004, reaching 509.49 million US dollars, while our imports have fallen by 13.72% to 538.12 million US dollars.
In the first semester of 2006, Greeces exports to Romania reached 313.33 million US dollars compared to imports worth 299.71 US dollars.
According to official Romanian data, our country holds 9th place among foreign investors in Romania, with 3,164 businesses and invested capital totalling 505.5 million euros. According to more valid estimates, however, Greece is among the three top investors in Romania, with almost 800 active businesses and invested capital totalling 3 billion euros.
With regard to Romania, the Hellenic Plan for the Economic Reconstruction of the Balkans (HIPERB) provides for the allocation of 70.43 million euros in 2002 prices, of which 79% is intended for projects officially proposed by the Romanian Government and 20% for private production activities and 1% for the Small Projects Fund.
Through the National Coordinators Office, the 10th Monitoring Committee on the HIPERB has pre-approved the following two proposals: a) the Proposal on the Renovation/Modernisation of the National History and Archaeology Museum in Constantza and b) the Proposal on creating a Regional Medical Transit Centre in Targu Mures. Part of the proposed advance payment has been allocated through (prepayment) money orders.
VI. Cultural Relations
- Olympic Torches Exhibition (15.5.2004)
- Participation of Greece in the 8th Festival of European Cinema with the film King May 2004
- In accordance with Article 7 of the Cultural Agreement signed in November 1995 the Ministry of Culture is promoting the establishment of a Greek Archaeological Institute in Bucharest in a building to be donated by the Romanian State.
VI. The Greek Community
About 6.500 ethnic Greeks live throughout Romania.
VII. Embassy Details