Greece–Qatar relations

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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[edit]

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[edit]

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]

Military relations[edit]

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[edit]

Both countries signed a deal on the avoidance of double taxation in 2008.[4] Qatar signed an agreement in 2010 in which it would invest $5 billion in Greece over the following years.[5]

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.[6] 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.[7] Also in 2013, another section of the Qatar Investment Authority, Qatar Holding, invested €1.2 billion in northern Greece's gold mining industry.[8]

Former Emir of Qatar Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani purchased six islets in Greece for a sum of €8.5 million in 2013.[9] 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.[10]

A joint business council was established in 2015.[11] Trade turnover is low. In 2017, the total bilateral trade volume was $372 million.[11]

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.[12] There were approximately seven Greek companies operating in Qatar in 2017.[13]

Migration[edit]

According to the Qatari Ministry of Interior, there are 2,200 Greek migrants in Qatar as of 2016.[12]

Cultural relations[edit]

In April 2021, a replica of the Charioteer of Delphi was unveiled at Doha Metro station.[14]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  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. ^ "Qatar-Greece relation". Qatari embassy in Athens. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  5. ^ Harry Papachristou; Ingrid Melander (24 September 2010). "Qatar signs deal to invest up to $5 billion in Greece". Reuters. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  6. ^ "Qatar rejoins bid for Greek ex-airport lease". Gulf News. 23 February 2013. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  7. ^ "Qatar could invest up to 1 billion euros in Greece". Doha News. 30 January 2013. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  8. ^ "Greek PM to visit Qatar to discuss investment". Reuters. 22 January 2013. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ Courtney Trenwith (1 April 2013). "Qatar emir plans palace for Greek isle: report". Arabian Business. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  11. ^ a b "Qatar and Greece to boost bilateral trade relations". Gulf Times. 8 May 2018. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  12. ^ a b "Greece beckons Qatar with investment opportunities". Qatar Tribune. 19 May 2016. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  13. ^ Ashraf Siddiqui (29 March 2017). "'Qatar-Greece ties very strong'". Qatar Tribune. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  14. ^ "Magnificent "Charioteer of Delphi" Replica Adorns Qatar Metro". Greek Reporter. 7 April 2021.

External links[edit]

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