Greece maintains traditionally good and friendly relations with the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC countries), and that despite the geographical distance separating the two regions. This is mainly due to the fact that :
- Greece has no colonial past and there are no conflicting issues with our Latin American friends.
- Greek classic education has been incorporated to the educational system of certain Latin American countries, while a significant volume of modern Greek literature has been translated into Spanish, forming thus an integral part of the cultural life of several LAC countries.
- The co-operation between Cyprus and Latin American countries, within the framework of the Non-Aligned Movement, especially during the cold war era, has had a positive impact on Greece's relations with LAC countries.
- The presence of prosperous Greek communities in many LAC countries serves as a link of mutual cultural awareness and co-operation.
- Greece and the LAC countries have a close cooperation in the framework of the International Organizations, whereas the shared devotion to the Principles and the Rules of International Law, as well as the compliance to the decisions of the International Organisations further facilitate and promote the furtherance of cooperation between them.
Bilateral Relations
Greece fully supports initiatives aiming at the peaceful resolution of conflicts in the region, as well as at reducing the negative effects of international and/or regional financial crisis and of natural disasters on the economies of LAC countries. It also supports the efforts for further democratisation and respect for human rights in the region and the fight against organised crime and corruption that are particularly threatening social cohesion.
Furthermore, Greece bilaterally supports and sponsors, to the extent of its ability, humanitarian and development aid projects.
Finally, Greece follows with great interest the initiatives towards the progress of regional co-operation and integration in the region.
Economic and commercial relations
Greece attaches particular importance to the promotion and enhancement of the bilateral legal framework of Agreements with LAC countries, with a specific emphasis on the Promotion and Mutual Protection of Investments, Economic and Technological Co-operation, Marine Transports and Tourism.
The above policy aims at further increasing the volume of trade between Greece and LAC countries which during the year 2000, amounted to USD 538.251 (imports amounted to USD 338.054, exports to USD 200.197, with a negative balance of trade for Greece of USD 137.857).
Table of imports and exports
Cultural Relations
As a result of our common cultural values and our respective cultural heritage over the years, co-operation in the field of culture has been enhanced.
Initiatives have been taken to further increase co-operation as a result of both mutual interest and also the common understanding shared by our peoples.
Humanitarian and Development Assistance
Greece provides humanitarian aid consisting of either funding, or supplying first aid relief material and know-how in countering emergency situations (e.g. earthquakes, typhoons). As for development assistance, Greece is sponsoring projects by Greek NGOs in co-operation with respective NGOs in LAC countries.
Greece and EU-LAC relations
Greece maintains friendly ties with all the countries in the region and constructively contributes to the enhancement of dialogue between these countries and the European Union, as well as the co-operation with the various regional schemes, like the Rio Group, the San Jose process, MERCOSUR and the Community of Andean Nations (Andean Community or CAN). In this respect, the successive Summit Conferences between the European Union and Latin America and the Caribbean largely contribute to a closer co-operation between our two regions.
Latin America and the Caribbean is a region of great importance for both Greece and the EU as reflected by the negotiations and dialogue under way with the various groups of countries (MERCOSUR, the Andean Community and Central America), leading to the conclusion of Agreements establishing Free Trade Areas. The EU has already concluded comprehensive Agreements of this type with Mexico (December 1999) and Chile (November 2002).
Greece, as a EU member state, participates to the above negotiations open minded and always willing to contribute to the resolution of any problem arising on the way, that could best serve the interests of all parties concerned. We endeavour to have fruitful and mutually beneficial negotiation processes, especially in sensitive areas such as the agricultural products (i.e. product protection, e.g. oranges, canned peaches, fruit juices and fruit jam) and the services (i.e. free market access to maritime transports etc.).
As President of the European Union, Greece hosted the EU-Rio Group ministerial meeting, as well as the meetings with the Andean Community, MERCOSUR, Mexico and Chile, at foreign ministers level, on the 27th and 28th of March, 2003.
At the margins of the above meetings, the Greek Minister for Foreign Affairs George Papandreou met on a bilateral level with his counterparts from Mexico, Chile, Colombia, Panama, El Salvador and Brazil, where International developments and specifically Iraq, bilateral issues and political relations between Greece and the above countries were discussed.
During the Greek Presidency, the Ministerial Meeting of San Jose Dialogue was held between E.U. and the countries, members of Central American Integration System (City of Panama, 12.05.2003).
For more information on the above-mentioned meetings click here .
The Greeks of Latin America
There are proactive Greek communities in many Latin American countries, the largest of which are the ones in Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela, Uruguay, and Panama. These communities bring a significant contribution to the life of the respective countries, while promoting at the same time awareness for Greek national issues. They also serve as a link for cultural exchange and co-operation between Greece and the countries of the region.
The first Greeks to settle in Latin America, as early as in the 16th century, were seamen and merchants. At the beginning of the 20th century we witnessed a significant flow of immigration from Greece. Until the 1920s, the immigrants did not show a propensity to permanent settlement.
During mid war, migration flows to the region grew even more, and eventually slowed down in the post-war period, not so much on the count of distance, but rather because Greek immigrants preferred countries with higher economic development.
During recent years, however, the opposite trend has been observed: Greeks are returning to their home country.
Representation in LAC Countries and Regional Organisations
Greece is represented by its respective Embassies in the region: Cuba (Havana), Venezuela (Caracas), Peru (Lima), Uruguay (Montevideo), Argentina (Buenos Aires), Brazil (Brasilia), Mexico (Mexico City), Chile (Santiago), with parallel accreditation to the vast majority of LAC countries.
Greece is also an observer to the Organisation of American States (OAS)
LAC representation in Greece
The following LAC Countries are represented in Greece with respective Embassies in Athens: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Cuba, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.
Countries represented through accreditation from a third country: Bolivia (Rome), Dominican Republic (Rome), El Salvador (Rome), Guatemala (Holy See), Haiti (Rome), Jamaica (Geneva), Nicaragua (Rome), Paraguay (Rome), Colombia (Rome), Ecuador (Budapest), Costa Rica (Rome).
