I. Diplomatic Relations

Diplomatic relations between Greece and Azerbaijan were established in 1992. The Greek Embassy in Baku was opened in the spring of 1993.  The Embassy of Azerbaijan in Athens was opened in August 2004.

ΙΙ. Framework of Treaties

- Economic, Industrial and Technological Cooperation Agreement (signed on 26.7.1994),

- Cultural Agreement (signed on 11.4.1997),

- Memorandum of Cooperation between DEPA (Hellenic Public Gas Enterprise) and SOCAR (April 2002)

- Programme for Scientific, Educational and Cultural Cooperation 2002-2005 (signed on 21.6.2004)

- Road Transport Agreement (signed on 21.6.2004)

- Agreement on the Protection of Investments (signed on 21.6.2004)

- Customs Cooperation Agreement (signed on 21.6.2004).

ΙΙΙ. Political Relations 

Due to its important geo-political position and energy resources Azerbaijan is of special interest to Greece.

Greece supports EU initiatives (European Neighbourhood policy) to strengthen EU-Azerbaijani relations and contributed to the signing of the EU-Azerbaijan Action Plan (14.11.2006).

On a bilateral level, high-level official visits have been multiplied over the past few years (the then Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Magriotis carried out a visit to Azerbaijan in November 2001 and June 2003, the then Development Minister Mr. A. Tsohatzopoulos in April 2002, and the then Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. A. Loverdos in April 2003). The most recent visit of a Greek official was carried out by the then President of the Hellenic Republic Mr. K. Stephanopoulos (20-22/06/2004) in Baku, which was also the first state visit of a Greek head of State over the past few years, as proof of the strong will to further develop Greek-Azerbaijani relations. The Greek-Azerbaijani Friendship Group of the Hellenic Parliament recently visited Baku (January 2007). The Meeting of the 2nd Joint Interministerial Committee of Economic and Technological Cooperation took place in Athens on 5-6 July 2007, and was co-chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. E. Stylianidis and Azerbaijan’s Minister of Economic Development, Mr. H. Babayev. The former Minister of Development, Mr. D. Sioufas carried out a visit to Baku (August 2007), where he signed a Memorandum of Cooperation on natural gas and oil. Development Minister Mr. C. Folias visited Baku on 16-17 March 2008 and on 9-10 September 2008 and met with President Aliyev and government officials.

ΙV. Cultural relations

Notable efforts are being made to promote the Greek language in Azerbaijan through the Centre for Modern Greek Language and Culture in the Slavic University of Baku, which was inaugurated by the then President of the Hellenic Republic, Mr. Kostantinos Stephanopoulos, during his state visit to Azerbaijan.

Greece grants scholarships to students from Azerbaijan in order to carry out their studies at Greek universities.

VI. Greek Community

The Greek community in Azerbaijan is concentrated in Baku and numbers about 250-300 people. Most of them are descendents of the Black Sea Greeks of Asia Minor who in the late 19th and early 20th centuries migrated to Baku.

VII. Embassy Details

Last modified: February 2008