Estonia and Greece

29.10.2009

- Visits
- Agreements
- Bilateral relations
- Economic Relations
- Culture and Education

The Hellenic Republic recognised Estonia on 19 May 1922 and diplomatic relations between the two countries were re-established on 2 October 1991. Greece never recognised the Soviet annexation of Estonia.

The Estonian Embassy was established in Athens in April 1997 and headed by Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Jüri Arusoo. From September 2000 to July 2003, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. in Greece was Katrin Kanarik. Andres Unga presented his credentials to President Constantinos Stephanopoulos in April 2001 as Estonia's first Ambassador to Greece since the restoration of independence. He was followed by Peep Jahilo, who was Estonian Ambassador between 2007 and 2009. The incumbent Ambassador of Estonia to Greece Andres Talvik presented his credentials to President Papoulias on 30 June 2009.

Three Honorary Consuls – Mr. George Nicholas Kassimatis in Pireus, Mr. Georgios Alexandros Honeos in Thessaloniki and Mrs. Irene Panagopoulos in Patras –represent Estonia in Greece.

In 1993, Stelio Valsamas-Rhallis became the first Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic to Estonia. From June 2000 until August 2002, Ambassador Basil Ch. Patsikakis represented Greece. From 2002-2005, Lyssandros Migliaressis-Phocas was Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic to Estonia. He resided in Helsinki. Greek Ambassador Polydore Kokonas presented his credentials on 27 November 2008, replacing residing ambassador in Tallinn from 2005-2008 Christos Karapanos.

Before the Second World War, Estonia's Honorary Consul in Athens was A. K. Papadatos and the vice Honorary Consul in Pireus was S. A. Georgandas. In 1922, Aleksander Hellat, residing in Warsaw, was appointed the Estonian representative to Greece. He was able to hold this position only for a few months, because he was called back to Estonia in November to act as Foreign Minister. Greece had accredited Kimon A. Kollas, residing in Warsaw, as its Ambassador to Estonia. Greece was represented in Tallinn by Honorary Consul General Oskar Kerson.

Visits

The Heads of State, Heads of Government and Foreign Ministers of Estonia and Greece have also met in the framework of a number of important international conferences (Greece held the EU Presidency from January-June 2003). In May 2002, the Ministers of Defence, Sven Mikser and Yiannos Papantoniou, met in Brussels during the 15+15 conference of NATO member countries and candidate countries.

The Estonian-Greek parliamentary group was created in June 2003 and its Chairman is Nelli Privalova. In January 2002, the Greek Parliament formed a Greek-Estonian Parliamentary group and its Chairman is Dr. Eleftheria Bernidaki-Aldous. The Greek Parliament’s Greek-Estonian Parliamentary group visited Estonia in May 2002. The Estonian Parliament’s Estonian-Greek friendship group visited Greece in December 2002.

Agreements

Since the restoration of Estonia's independence the following agreements with Greece have been signed and have come into force:

• Agreement for the Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of Investments (came into force 07.08.98);
• Agreement on Maritime Transport (came into force 02.04.99);
• Agreement Governing the Delegation of Statutory Certification Services for Vessels Registered in the Republic of Estonia between Estonian National Maritime Board and Hellenic Register of Shipping (came into force 01.05.99);
• Agreement on Abolishment of Visa Requirements (came into force 04.12.99);
• Agreement on International Road Transport of Passengers and Goods (came into force 10.05.00);
• Agreement on Co-operation in Tourism (came into force 13.12.00);
• Agreement on Co-operation in Education, Science, and Culture (came into force 15.04.02);
• Agreement of Protection of Classified Information (came into force 14.05.02);
• Agreement on Co-operation on Defence (came into force 10.06.03)
• Programme on Cooperation in the Fields of Education and Culture between the Government of the Republic of Estonia and the Government of the Hellenic Republic for the Years 2005, 2006 and 2007(came into force 15.06.2006);
• Agreement on the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income and on Capital (came infto force 01.08.2008)

Bilateral Relations

Estonian-Greek relations are considered good and continue to develop steadily. Estonia recognizes the importance of promoting political, economic and cultural co-operation with Greece. Greece gave its support to Estonian efforts in becoming a member of the EU and NATO.

Economic Relations

Estonian and Greek economic relations have been modest. Since Estonia's invitation to begin accession negotiations with the European Union, the interest of Greek enterprises in business opportunities in Estonia has grown gradually.

In developing economic relations, there are good prospects in the fields of maritime transport and transit, port construction and shipbuilding, high technology, science, forestry (wood products) and agriculture. Estonia is also interested in co-operation in the tourism industry, above all in bringing Greek tourists to Estonia.

In June 2005, in Thessaloniki, the Greek – Baltic Chamber of Commerce and Industry was established with the aim of developing relations between Greece and the Baltic States primarily in the fields of trade, economy and technology. The president of the Chamber is Honorary Consul of the Republic of Latvia in Thessaloniki Mr Agis Kynigopoulos and the vice-president is Honorary Consul of the Republic of Estonia Mr George Honeos.

TRADE

The Estonian-Greek trade has in recent years been stable, but still modest. Trade turnover has been positive for Estonia during the past few years. In 2008, Greece ranked 40th among Estonia’s trade partners in terms of turnover, accounting for 0.1% of Estonia’s total trade turnover.

Statistical Office of Estonia

Main export articles in 2008:

• Mineral products – 25%
• Means of transport - 24.5
• Metals and metal products – 12.9%
• Animal products – 9.8%
• Other manufactured goods - 9.1%
• Wood and wood products – 8.8%

Main import articles in 2008:

• Food products and beverage – 23.2%
• Textile and textile products – 18.4%
• Chemical products – 16.9%
• Paper pulp and paper products - 14%
• Machinery and equipment – 9.2%

INVESTMENTS

According to Bank of Estonia data, as of 31 December 2008 Greek direct investments in Estonia totalled 5.3 million euros. Most investments were made in financial mediation, retail and wholesale trade, and real estate. Estonian direct investments in Greece in 2008 totalled 12.6 million kroons (more than doubled from 2007). Most investments in Greece were made in real estate, retail and wholesale trade, and the manufacturing industry.

TOURISM

Greece is among Estonians a more and more popular tourism destination. According to travel agencies, in 2006, Greece was visited by 17,600 Estonian tourists. In 2007 there were as many as 27,684 tourists. The number of Greek tourists visiting Estonia has also increased. In 2006 there were 1,731 Greek tourists who visited Estonia, and in 2007 the number climbed to 2,712.

Culture and Education

Historically, Greek Catholicism was the first Christian religion whose missionaries contacted Estonians. The first Orthodox Church was built in Tartu in the 11th century. By 1920, 158 Orthodox churches had been built.

At the University of Tartu, the Classical Philology Department deals with the study of Greek culture, including the study of classical Greek, literature, history, art and archaeology, religion, philosophy and mythology. Modern Greek can be studied at the Mainor language school in Tallinn.

Since 1995, the Alexander S. Onassis Public Benefit Foundation in parallel with the Greek State Scholarship Foundation have granted scholarships and financial support for scientific research and to students of Greek culture at the post-graduate level. In addition, in the framework of the Erasmus higher education programme of the European Council, student exchange opportunities have been established between partner universities in Estonia and Greece: the University of Tartu in Estonia and Greece’s National University of Athens and the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. The first student exchange was conducted during the academic year 1999/2000 and tight student exchange between the two countries has been continued. For example in the framework of the European Union’s higher education program Erasmus 6 students from Estonia studied during the academic year 2004/2005 in Greece, in addition in the framework of the exchange program 7 teachers were in Greece as well. As for Greeks, the number of those studying in Tallinn was 5 and the number of teachers in the framework of the exchange program was 3. Guest professor Grigorios Papathomas, who is financed by the Greek Ministry of Education, has been teaching in Tartu University’s religion department since December 2005. For the 2008/2009 academic year, two guest instructors from Greece will be teaching at Tallinn University.

Cultural co-operation also took place via a meeting of writers from Greece and the Baltic States along with an introduction to literature organized by the International Book Centre and the Swedish Embassy in Athens in October 2000.

Various Estonian and Greek folk groups have performed in each other’s countries. From March to May 2001, the works of Estonian artists Jaan Toomik and Ene-Liis Semper participated in the exhibition of Nordic and Baltic artists in Greece.

In October 2001, Liivo Niglas's documentary "Brigade" won a Golden Olive at the 4th Kalamata International Documentary Film Festival.

In 2002, Estonian children participated in a drawing competition in Greece and won several awards.

Estonia participated in a photo exhibition introducing EU accession countries in April 2003 in Athens with Arne Maasik’s photo collection "Man and Nature".

An exhibition with works from the 10 EU accession countries took place in Athens’ largest cultural centre Technopolis from May-June 2003. Estonia’s exhibition was called "Cinema – it’s a lie!" and it comprised of works by Jaan Toomik, August Künnap and Liina Siib. In June, the Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania Days took place in Greece. The Estonian choir Vox Clamantis performed and Sulev Keedus’ feature film “Georgica” alongside animation films by Ülo Pikkov, Janno Põldma and Priit Pärn were shown. In June, a Baltic States business forum took place; the main emphasis was on tourism, IT and the wood industry.

In May 2003, a Baltic States Gourmet Festival took place in Thessaloniki. The event was opened by the Greek Minister of Culture Evangelos Venizelos. Chef Imre Kose represented Estonia. There was also a pair of dancers from each country and national clothes were shown.

In 2003, Estonia was represented at a film festival in Athens by Peeter Simm’s feature film "Good Hands" and Ülo Pikkov, Janno Põldma and Mait Laas’ animation films.

From June to August 2004, simultaneously at the Museum of New Art in Pärnu and at the Frisiras Museum in Athens, a double exhibition "God becomes a Man" was arranged, in which Greek as well as Estonian artists participated. As the Greeks have many gods, the exhibition in Athens was entitled as "Gods becoming Men”. Contacts arisen in connection with the exhibition are being continued – some works by Greek artists have been purchased to Pärnu.

At the Black Nights Film Festival, there has annually been some Greek film.

In November 2007, Veiko Õunpuu’s film “Sügisball” (“Autumn Ball”) participated in the 48th Thessaloniki International Film Festival, winning the prize for best director.

The work of Estonian jewellery artist Kristi Paap was displayed as part of the international jewellery exhibit “Challenging the Cathelaine” at the Lalalounis Jewellery Museum in Athens in November 2007. An exhibit of Estonian nature photos was displayed in the American Community School of Athens in February 2008.

In April 2008, a very successful concert by Tõnis Mägi and Kärt, Jaak, Ants and Mari Johanson took place in the Athens Anglican Church. In May of the same year, the duo of Jaak Sooäär and Tuule Kann performed at a jazz festival in Athens. The Academic Women’s Choir of Tallinn University of Technology, directed by Raul Talmar, participated in a choir festival in Athens in November 2007.

At the first Corinth Film festival, which took place in October 2008, Andres Maimik and Rein Tolk’s film “Jan Uuspõld läheb Tartusse” (“Jan Uuspõld Goes to Tartu”) won the best actor prize. Peeter Simm’s film “Georg” was also screened at the same festival.

The Greek music ensemble Zorbas is active in Estonia and they have formed a club for Greek music lovers in Estonia.

During the visit of President Sephanopoulus to Tallinn, Estonia's President Lennart Meri announced the Pytheas Scholarship for Estonians dealing with Greek culture (Pytheas was a Greek explorer who mapped the Estonian islands in the 4th century BC). Jaan Unt received the 2001 scholarship for his translation of text fragments by Pytheas.

Greece’s ancient literature has an important place in the Estonian school of theatre and ancient Greek tragedies are performed on Estonian stages. Over 30 books have been translated into Estonian, among them books by Aesop, Homer, Paradisis, Plato, Sophocles, and many others.