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Greece–Qatar relations

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Greece – Qatar relations
Map indicating locations of Greece and Qatar

Greece
Qatar

Greece–Qatar relations are the bilateral relations between Greece and Qatar. Relations were established in 1973.[1]

Diplomatic representation

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Greece opened its embassy in Doha in 2007.[1] Qatar has had an embassy in Athens since 2008.[1]

After Egypt closed its embassy in Qatar in 2017, the Greek embassy in Doha agreed to diplomatically represent Egyptian citizens.[2]

Diplomatic visits

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Greek FM Georgios Katrougalos signing agreements with his Qatari counterpart, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.

In March 2009, Greek Deputy Prime Minister Theodors Pangalos paid a visit to Qatar.[3]

On May 29 2024, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis had a meeting in Athens. During his visit to Greece on Wednesday, the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, engaged in discussions about business opportunities and investments. Sheikh Al Thani had a meeting with Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Athens, with large delegations from both sides in attendance.

Greece and Qatar have expressed their shared commitment to enhancing bilateral relations by signing two agreements. These include the Military Cooperation Agreement between the Hellenic Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Defense of Qatar, as well as the Memorandum of Cooperation for conducting political consultations on matters of mutual interest between the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar. [4]

Military relations

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Several military agreements between Qatar and Greece have been signed, such as an agreement on joint training exercises and a tripartite memorandum of understanding between Qatar's government, the Hellenic Vehicle Industry and the Hellenic Aerospace Industry.[1]

Economic relations

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Both countries signed a deal on the avoidance of double taxation in 2008.[5] Qatar signed an agreement in 2010 in which it would invest $5 billion in Greece over the following years.[6]

In January 2013, Qatar Investment Authority's real estate arm Qatari Diar had been involved in a bid to redevelop Ellinikon International Airport but decided to withdraw from the tender. Later that month, the company recanted its withdrawal after a visit to Doha by Prime Minister Antonis Samaras.[7] Furthermore, during the visit, the Qatari government agreed to create a $1.34 billion joint fund to assist small-to-medium businesses in Greece to aid its recession-struck economy.[8] Also in 2013, another section of the Qatar Investment Authority, Qatar Holding, invested €1.2 billion in northern Greece's gold mining industry.[9]

Former Emir of Qatar Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani purchased six islets in Greece for a sum of €8.5 million in 2013.[10] He was reportedly interested in constructing a massive palace on one of the islets, but would be challenged by the Greek legal system due to its laws regarding the size of residences.[11]

A joint business council was established in 2015.[12] Trade turnover is low. In 2017, the total bilateral trade volume was $372 million.[12]

In terms of cooperation between companies, Greek company Anangel Maritime Services signed a joint venture agreement with Qatar-based Nakilat to employ ten of its ships to transport LNG.[13] There were approximately seven Greek companies operating in Qatar in 2017.[14]

Migration

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According to the Qatari Ministry of Interior, there are 2,200 Greek migrants in Qatar as of 2016.[13]

Cultural relations

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In April 2021, a replica of the Charioteer of Delphi was unveiled at Doha Metro station.[15]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Greece's Bilateral Relations: Qatar". Hellenic Republic Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  2. ^ "Greek embassy in Qatar takes over Egypt's diplomatic representation in Doha". Xinhua. 6 June 2017. Archived from the original on May 9, 2019. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  3. ^ William Skidmore (19 April 2009). "Can Greek construction capitalise in Qatar?". Construction Week Online. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  4. ^ https://greekreporter.com/2024/05/29/emir-qatar-explores-business-opportunities-greece-visit/ [bare URL]
  5. ^ "Qatar-Greece relation". Qatari embassy in Athens. Archived from the original on 13 August 2018. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  6. ^ Harry Papachristou; Ingrid Melander (24 September 2010). "Qatar signs deal to invest up to $5 billion in Greece". Reuters. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  7. ^ "Qatar rejoins bid for Greek ex-airport lease". Gulf News. 23 February 2013. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  8. ^ "Qatar could invest up to 1 billion euros in Greece". Doha News. 30 January 2013. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  9. ^ "Greek PM to visit Qatar to discuss investment". Reuters. 22 January 2013. Archived from the original on 9 October 2020. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  10. ^ Spyridon N. Litsas; Aristotle Tziampiris (9 November 2016). Foreign Policy Under Austerity: Greece's Return to Normality?. Springer. p. 68. ISBN 978-1-137-57582-1.
  11. ^ Courtney Trenwith (1 April 2013). "Qatar emir plans palace for Greek isle: report". Arabian Business. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  12. ^ a b "Qatar and Greece to boost bilateral trade relations". Gulf Times. 8 May 2018. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  13. ^ a b "Greece beckons Qatar with investment opportunities". Qatar Tribune. 19 May 2016. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  14. ^ Ashraf Siddiqui (29 March 2017). "'Qatar-Greece ties very strong'". Qatar Tribune. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  15. ^ "Magnificent "Charioteer of Delphi" Replica Adorns Qatar Metro". Greek Reporter. 7 April 2021.
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