Greek-South African relations
Encyclopedia
Greek–South African relations are the relations between Greece
and South Africa
. The presence of a large Greek Diaspora
in South Africa led to the establishment of diplomatic relations as far back as the early 20th century. Relations are cordial, and got stronger since World War II
, during which both countries were allies.
Greece has an embassy in Pretoria
, a general consulate in Johannesburg
and 2 consulates in Cape Town
and Durban
. South Africa has an embassy in Athens
and an honorary consulate in Thessaloniki
.
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
and South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. The presence of a large Greek Diaspora
Greek diaspora
The Greek diaspora, also known as Hellenic Diaspora or Diaspora of Hellenism, is a term used to refer to the communities of Greek people living outside the traditional Greek homelands, but more commonly in southeast Europe and Asia Minor...
in South Africa led to the establishment of diplomatic relations as far back as the early 20th century. Relations are cordial, and got stronger since World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, during which both countries were allies.
Greece has an embassy in Pretoria
Pretoria
Pretoria is a city located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, South Africa. It is one of the country's three capital cities, serving as the executive and de facto national capital; the others are Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Bloemfontein, the judicial capital.Pretoria is...
, a general consulate in Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
and 2 consulates in Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
and Durban
Durban
Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism...
. South Africa has an embassy in Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
and an honorary consulate in Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki , historically also known as Thessalonica, Salonika or Salonica, is the second-largest city in Greece and the capital of the region of Central Macedonia as well as the capital of the Decentralized Administration of Macedonia and Thrace...
.
List of resent bilateral visits
- Former President of South AfricaPresident of South AfricaThe President of the Republic of South Africa is the head of state and head of government under South Africa's Constitution. From 1961 to 1994, the head of state was called the State President....
, Nelson MandelaNelson MandelaNelson Rolihlahla Mandela served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, and was the first South African president to be elected in a fully representative democratic election. Before his presidency, Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist, and the leader of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing...
to Greece (June 18 to 26, 2002) - Greek Foreign MinisterMinister for Foreign Affairs (Greece)The Minister for Foreign Affairs is the senior minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Greece, established on 3 April 1833. The current Minister for Foreign Affairs, since 11 November 2011 is the former European Commissioner Stavros Dimas...
, George Papandreou (September 1 to 4, 2002) to South Africa to take part in the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) - Former President of GreecePresident of GreeceThe President of the Hellenic Republic , colloquially referred to in English as the President of Greece, is the head of state of Greece. The office of the President of the Republic was established after the Greek republic referendum, 1974 and formally by the Constitution of Greece in 1975. The...
, Mr. Konstantinos Stephanopoulos (October 29 to November 2, 2002) - Foreign Minister of South Africa, Mrs. Nkosazana Dlamini-ZumaNkosazana Dlamini-ZumaNkosazana Clarice Dlamini-Zuma is a South African politician and was an anti-apartheid activist. She was South Africa's Minister of Health from 1994 to 1999, under President Nelson Mandela, then Minister of Foreign Affairs from 17 June 1999 to 10 May 2009, under Presidents Thabo Mbeki and Kgalema...
came to Greece (June 20 to 23, 2003) for bilateral discussions during the Greek Presidency of the EU. - President of South AfricaPresident of South AfricaThe President of the Republic of South Africa is the head of state and head of government under South Africa's Constitution. From 1961 to 1994, the head of state was called the State President....
, Mr. Thabo MbekiThabo MbekiThabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki is a South African politician who served two terms as the second post-apartheid President of South Africa from 14 June 1999 to 24 September 2008. He is also the brother of Moeletsi Mbeki...
to Greece (February 24 to 26, 2005).
List of bilateral treaties
- Convention on the avoidance of double taxation of income. Signed on November 19, 1998, put in force on February 19, 2003.
- Agreement on the promotion and mutual protection of investments. Signed on November 19, 1998, put in force on September 5, 2001.
- Agreement of air transports. Signed on November 19, 1998, put in force on May 23, 2001
- Agreement on collaboration in the sector of tourism. Signed on November 19, 1998
- Agreement on the commercial shipping and relevant shipping subjects. Signed on February 26, 1998, put in force on July 13, 2001.
- Agreement of cultural cooperation. Signed on July 25, 2005
See also
- Foreign relations of GreeceForeign relations of GreeceProminent issues in Greek foreign policy include the enduring dispute over Cyprus and differences with Turkey over the Aegean, the dispute over the name of the Republic of Macedonia , and relations with the United States.-Overview:Greece has diplomatic relations with almost all the...
- Foreign relations of South AfricaForeign relations of South AfricaThe foreign relations of South Africa have spanned from the country's time as Dominion and later Realm of the British Empire to its isolationist policies under Apartheid to its position as a responsible international actor taking a key role in Africa....
- Greeks in South AfricaGreeks in South AfricaThe Greek community in South Africa numbers 130,000 people.-Notable people:*George Bizos - human rights advocate*Stanley Christodoulou - international boxing judge and referee*Ivan Gazidis - sports business executive...