I. Diplomatic Relations

The development of bilateral relations between  Greece and FYROM began with the  signing of the Interim Agreement on 13th September 1995,  the Memorandum of Application for the Practical Measures of the Interim Agreement  (13.10.1995) and the Memorandum on the Mutual Establishment of Liaison Offices in Athens and Skopje (20-10-1995).

The issue of the countrys name remains unresolved. For more information on this issue click here.

II. Framework of Treaties 

21 bilateral agreements and protocols, including the Interim Agreement, have been signed between Greece and FYROM although they are still pending ratification by the Hellenic Parliament due to the unresolved issue of the name.

III. Political Relations

Since the signing of the Interim Agreement, political relations between the two countries have developed in a satisfactory manner.  There have been frequent political level meetings between officials of the two countries.

At the summit meeting of the South-east European Cooperation Process (SEECP) in Sarajevo on 21st April 2004, the Greek Prime Minister, Konstantinos Karamanlis, met with acting President Mr. Jordanovski. On 9th June, Deputy Foreign Minister Valinakis met with the deputy President of the FYROM government, Mrs. Sekerinska, in Dubrovnik. Foreign Minister Molyviatis then met with his counterpart Mrs. Mitreva at the NATO Summit in Constantinople (27.06.2004) and at the United  Nations General Assembly in New York (22.09.2004).

On 3rd June 2004, bilateral political negotiations between officials of the respective Foreign Ministries took place at the executive level.  The Foreign Minister, Mr. Molyviatis, visited Skopje on 22nd and 23rd October 2004.

IV. Economic Relations  

The volume of trade between Greece and FYROM has increased considerably over the past few years and in 2003 stood at US$460 million, making FYROM Greeces third largest trading partner in the Balkans, after Bulgaria and Romania.

The volume of trade for the first nine months of 2004 stood at 374 million euros against 327 million euros for the same period in 2003. 

In 2003 Greece exported goods to a value of 357.2 million euros with imports at 106 million euros, and according to initial estimates this trend is continuing into 2004.  The trade balance remains positive for Greece (250 million euros).

- Greek investment in FYROM

According to official statistics, over the past eleven years foreign investments in the country have amounted to some US$1.1billion.

Greek investments head the list of invested capital - approximately 760 million euros and about 9000 employees.

These investments are concentrated in the energy sector, financial services in industry, cement and tobacco, food and beverages, mining and marble extraction, off-the-peg clothing and commerce.

Under the Hellenic Plan for the Economic Reconstruction of the Balkans (HIBERB), a total of 74.840.000 euros has been earmarked for FYROM for the five-year period 2002-2006.

On 6th November 2003 the Hellenic Parliament promulgated a Law on the Organisation of the Foreign Ministrys International Economic Relations and Development Cooperation Services, which includes a provision facilitating the flow of financial aid to FYROM.

V. Liaison Office Details