I. Diplomatic relations
Diplomatic relations between Greece and Russia were officially established 177 years ago and at present continue to be excellent.
II. Framework of Treaties
The framework of treaties encompasses every area of cooperation between the two countries (political, economic, defence, energy, cultural, etc.). Key agreements include Friendship and Cooperation, Military Cooperation, Avoidance of Double Taxation, Shipping, Air Transport, Cooperation in the Fuel and Energy Sector.
The following bilateral agreements which are just some of several such agreements between Greece and Russia should be noted:
1. Friendship and Cooperation Agreement (1993)
2. Agreement on Economic, Industrial, Technological, and Scientific Cooperation (1993)
3. Joint Action Plan for the years 2005-2006 (2004).
4. Joint Declaration for the further strengthening of relations of Friendship and Cooperation (2004).
III. Political relations
Greek Russian relations date back to the 10th century. The two countries share a strong bond of friendship, on account (inter alia) of their common Orthodox faith, shared spiritual and cultural values, and historical background. Present-day bilateral political relations are marked by their spirit of close cooperation and reciprocal trust. In the economic and energy sector equally, there has been a long standing spirit of cooperation, whilst also in cultural matters, the two peoples are drawn closer to one another by their inventiveness and high level of culture.
One other important factor contributing to excellent relations overall between the two countries is the historical presence of a significant number of Russians of Greek descent, who are mostly to be found in the southernmost regions of Russia.
Visits at the very highest level (official visit by former Greek President Constantine Stephanopoulos and working visit by former Prime Minister Constantine Simitis to Moscow in June 2000 and July 2001 respectively, and official visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin to Athens, in December 2001, as well as the official visit by Prime Minister Constantine Karamanlis to Moscow, December 2004), as well as the frequent consultations held between the two Foreign Ministries, all confirm the current high level of political relations between the two countries.
The afore-mentioned visit by Mr. Constantine Karamanlis (7- 9 December 2004), was the first official bilateral visit to the Russian Federation by a Greek Premier in twelve years. Apart from the meeting with the leader of the Russian state, the Prime Minister also held talks with his Russian counterpart Mr. Fradkov, the Speaker of the Federation Council (Upper House) Sergei Mironov, the Mayor of Moscow Mr. Luzhkov, and with the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexy II.
The Greek delegation included amongst others Minister of State Th. Roussopoulos and Deputy Ministers for Foreign Affairs, Y. Valinakis, P. Skandalakis and E. Stylianidis.
During the Prime Ministers talks with the Russian political leadership, the high level of political relations between the two countries was reaffirmed, as well as the close long-standing bond between the two peoples. A matter of particular interest was the exploration of possibilities for the further enhancement of bilateral economic and energy cooperation. Regarding international politics, it would appear that the two countries share identical or very similar views on a range of international issues.
Following their talks, Prime Minister Karamanlis and the Russian President signed the following official texts: "Joint Declaration for the further strengthening of relations of friendship and multilateral cooperation", "Joint Action Plan for the years 2005-2006" and "Joint Declaration for Combating Terrorism". The signing of these texts once again attests to the quality and scope of bilateral cooperation, regularises its framework, and defines new perspectives for bilateral relations that will encompass cooperation in new areas, such as addressing the challenges and threats which face the International Community.
The first meeting of the high-level Joint Task Force was held in Athens on 22/4/2005, as provided for under the Greece-Russia Action Plan for the years 2005-2006. The Greek delegation was headed by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Y. Valinakis, and the Russian delegation was led by Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs V. Tsizov.
On the invitation of President Putin, the President of the Hellenic Republic, Mr Papoulias, visited Moscow (7-9.5.2005), to participate in the celebration of the 60th anniversary of Victory Day. President Putin conferred a special commemorative award on President Papoulias for his participation in the resistance against the occupying forces.
During his visit to Moscow President Papoulias met with the leaders of the Greek diaspora in Russia.
The Hellenic Inter-parliamentary Committee of Greek-Russian friendship visited Moscow from 24-29/5/2005, headed by its Chairman, Mr. Kedikoglou, M.P., following an invitation from the Chairman of the Russian Inter-parliamentary Committee of Friendship, Mr Savvides, M.P., who happens to be of Greek extraction.
Finally, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Molyviatis undertook a working visit to Moscow on 7-8/7/2005, and had talks with his Russian counterpart, Minister S. Lavrov, and with the Secretary of the Russian Federation Security Council, Mr. I. Ivanov. In the course of their talks, they affirmed the strong ties between the two countries and the political will to further deepen and strengthen bilateral relations, particularly in the areas of trade and energy.
V. Economic relations
The dynamism which is apparent in both the Greek and the Russian economies is mirrored in their bilateral trade, which has grown substantially over the past ten years. There is of course still great scope for the further development of Greek-Russian economic relations.
Trade between the two countries amounted to 3.178 billion in 2004, with Greek exports to Russia totalling 326.4 million, and imports from Russia reaching 2,852 billion.
Imports from Russia mainly consist of raw materials, more specifically oil, natural gas, iron, steel, aluminium, copper, and timber. Greek exports to Russia include furs, fruits and vegetables, olive oil, olives, alumina, wine, bauxite, marble, etc.
As regards investments, 41 Greek enterprises are currently operating in Russia with $69.2 million of total invested capital. Russian records show that there are 130 registered Greek-Russian joint ventures, active mainly in trade, agriculture, industry, services, tourism, construction, energy, transport, and technology.
On 20 and 21 April 2005, a Greek-Russian Business Conference was held in Athens with the participation of the President of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, former Prime Minister Primakov, where the prospects for enhancing bilateral cooperation in the areas of trade, energy, tourism, construction, and new technology were discussed. During his stay in Greece, Mr Primakov was received by Prime Minister Karamanlis.
Finally, a business conference of diaspora Greek entrepreneurs was held in Sochi, southern Russia, on 13-14.07.2005 with the purpose of promoting and developing Greek-Russian economic relations in the region of South Russia, which is inhabited by a large number of diaspora Greeks. Greece was represented by an official delegation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which was warmly received by the local political authorities and held talks with local economic and cultural players.
Bilateral economic cooperation is coordinated by a Joint Inter-ministerial Committee for Economic, Industrial and Technological Cooperation. On 29 and 30/9/2005 the 5th Session of the Committee is due to be convened in Moscow, alongside an Economic Symposium open to business leaders. These meetings are expected to give a fresh impetus to bilateral economic relations, considered at present to be less than satisfactory.
Defence cooperation
Defence cooperation between Greece and Russia is progressing smoothly. Visits by the Russian Defence Minister Mr. S. Ivanov to Greece (2002), by the then Greek Defence Minister Mr. Papantoniou to Russia (22-27/6/2003), and by Greek Defence Minister S. Spiliotopoulos (November 2004) further contributed to the enhancement of bilateral cooperation.
Energy
In the energy field, the two countries enjoy very good relations, which could well serve as a model of cooperation for South-Eastern Europe. The construction of the Bourgas-Alexandroupolis pipeline involving Russian participation serves a vital purpose in this respect. A Political Memorandum of Cooperation for the construction of the pipeline was signed by the Greek, Russian and Bulgarian delegations in Sofia, on 12.04.2005.
V. Cultural Relations
There is an excellent level of cooperation between Greece and Russia in the cultural sector. Over the past few years numerous exhibitions, concerts, scientific colloquia, literary events, publications and other noteworthy cultural activities have been organized on the initiative, or with the participation of the Greek Embassy in Russia. More specifically there has been a series of very successful events on the history, culture and traditions of Mount Athos, which included a major exhibition of relics from Russian Museums, a concert given by the Byzantine choir of L. Angelopoulos, and an international scientific colloquium. A symphonic concert was given to mark the centenary of Nicos Calcites birth. Finally, Greece was represented for the first time at the "NON FICTION" Book Fair.
Short and medium-term scholarships continue to be granted by Greece to students studying in Hellenic Studies Departments of Russian Universities (Moscow, St. Petersburg, Krasnodar). Scientific exchange programmes are also being pursued. During the past year it is estimated that at least 70 Russian students participated in programmes of this nature (summer and winter Greek language courses and semi-annual or annual scholarships).
VI. The Greek Community
There are about 128,000 people of Greek extraction living in the Russian Federation. The majority (100,000) live in Southern Russia, while the remainder live in Moscow and its environs (25,000) or in the area that falls under the St. Petersburg General Consuls jurisdiction (3,000). Seventy percent are Greek-speaking people from the Black Sea coast, twenty-nine percent are Turkish-speaking Greeks from Tsalka in Georgia and one percent are Greek-speaking people from Marioupoli in Ukraine.
According to the latest official census in Russia (conducted two years ago), there are 100,000 Russian citizens of Greek extraction living in Russia. However, the leaders of the Greek community in Russia claim that their true numbers exceed this figure two-fold.
VII. Embassy Details
Head of Mission: Ambassador Mr. Elias Klis
Tel. (+7495) 290 14 46, 775 37 00
Fax: 771 65 10
E-mail: gremb.mow@mfa.gr
