Canada-Greece relations
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Bilateral relations
Canada and the Hellenic Republic, (Greece’s official name) have shared diplomatic relations for over 80 years. The relationship is based on strong people-to-people ties and shared fundamental values that underpin cooperation on regional and global issues, including support for multilateralism, the rules based international order and strengthening democratic values. Canada maintains an embassy in Athens while Greece is represented in Canada by an embassy in Ottawa.
Greek-Canadian Community
An estimated 262,140 Canadians claim Greek descent. In 1996, the business community in Athens established the Canada-Greece Chamber of Commerce. The Hellenic Canadian Friendship Association is an informal network for Canadians residing in Greece.
Education cooperation
A Memorandum of Understanding in Education Cooperation, signed in July 1998, provided the initial foundations for cooperative arrangements between Canadian and Greek universities. Chairs and Centres of Hellenic Studies have been established at Canadian universities, notably:
- McGill University
- York University
- Simon Fraser University
- Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy at the University of Toronto
- University of New Brunswick
- University of Waterloo
The first Canadian Studies Centre in Greece was established in 2002 at the University of Athens.
In 2013, in celebration of the 70th anniversary of Canada-Greece bilateral relations, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) established scholarship programs for Greek students at the universities of Ottawa, McGill, York and Université de Montréal. SNF scholarships are also available at other educational institutions.
The same year, the Agreement Between Canada and the Hellenic Republic Concerning Youth Mobility entered into force, allowing Greek and Canadian citizens between the ages of 18 and 35 to travel, reside and work for up to 12 months in each other’s countries.
Partnerships also exist between Canadian universities and Greek education institutions for study abroad programs, notably:
- Queen’s University Vorres Awards for Research in Philosophy, History or Archaeology in Greece
- McGill and Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
- York University and College Year in Athens
- Simon Fraser University and Stavros Niarchos Foundation
The Canadian Institute in Greece was established in 1976 as a foreign archaeological institute responsible for overseeing all aspects of Canadian archaeological fieldwork projects in Greece. The Canadian Institute also organizes a diverse lecture series, thematic seminars and hosts cultural events.
Trade relations
Canada and Greece have enjoyed good trade relations for many years. In 2023, bilateral trade in goods with Greece was $585 million. Canadian exports were valued at nearly $180.6 million, while imports increased to over $404.4 million. In 2022, services exports to Greece were $484 million, while imports were close to $1.7 billion.
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Partnerships and organizations
To develop effective responses to today’s most pressing global challenges, Canada and Greece work closely in multilateral fora, such as:
- La Francophonie
- International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
- International Criminal Court (ICC)
- North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
- Open Government Partnership (OGP)
- Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
- Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)
- The Pacific Alliance
- United Nations (UN)
- United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
- World Trade Organization (WTO)
A number of bilateral treaties also provide effective framework for productive economic relations and for cooperation on relevant international issues:
- Convention between Canada and the Hellenic Republic for the Avoidance of Double Taxation
- International Experience Canada (IEC) based on a reciprocal Youth Mobility Agreement between Canada and the Hellenic Republic
- Audiovisual Coproduction Agreement between Canada and the Hellenic Republic
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