Greece–Spain relations

Both Greece and Spain are members of the European Union, NATO, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the OECD, the Union for the Mediterranean, and the United Nations.

Greek–Spanish relations
Map indicating locations of Greece and Spain

Greece

Spain
Diplomatic mission
Embassy of Greece, MadridEmbassy of Spain, Athens

History edit

 
George Papandreou with Jose Luis Zapatero in Athens (2010)

In ancient times, parts of the Mediterranean coast of Spain were colonized by Greeks (Emporion/Empúries and Rhodha/Roses, Girona, plus Zacantha/Sagunt and Dianion/Denia near Valencia). In the late Middle Ages, parts of Greece came under Aragonese rule (the Duchy of Athens and the Duchy of Neopatras). The Renaissance painter Domenikos Theotokopoulos (better known as El Greco) was of Greek descent, as is Queen Sophia of Spain. Another cultural link between the two countries is the Sephardi Jewish community of Greece, particularly the Jews of Thessaloniki, who traditionally spoke Judaeo-Spanish. Both countries are the doors of Europe and share the same Greco-Latin and Mediterranean culture, together with Italy and Portugal.[1]

In Spain there is great interest in the language and literature of Ancient and Modern Greece.[third-party source needed] A nucleus of neo-Hellenists is very active in the area of popularizing modern Greek letters.[third-party source needed] In addition, approximately 5,000 Greeks reside in Spain. The vast majority of them reside in Madrid, Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, and the Valencian Community.[2]

The close Turkish-Spanish collaboration in the military sector, sealed with the signing of a military agreement in November 2021, has caused "frictions" in the relations between Spain and Greece.[3] A December 2021 meeting between foreign ministers Dendias and Albares failed to deliver a common position on the matter.[3]

List of bilateral agreements edit

The following are existing agreements between the countries.[4] Note that no treaties exist.

  • Agreement on scientific and technological cooperation (1972)
  • Air Cooperation agreement (1975)
  • Agreement on the Avoidance of Double Taxation of Income or Capital (2000).

A Spanish military contingent participated in a NATO mission to assist Greece in ensuring security during the 2004 Summer Olympics. The two countries also share close positions in relation to the international status of Kosovo.[5]

List of bilateral visits edit

Source:[6]

Resident diplomatic missions edit

  • Greece has an embassy in Madrid.
  • Spain has an embassy in Athens.

See also edit

External links edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ Moa, Pío (2010). Nueva historia de España : de la II Guerra Púnica al siglo XXI (1st ed.). Madrid: Esfera de los Libros. ISBN 9788497349529.
  2. ^ "Relaciones Educativas, Culturales y la Emigración Griega - Grecia y España".
  3. ^ a b "Madrid y Atenas mantienen diferencias sobre pacto militar de España y Turquía". Swissinfo. 14 December 2021.
  4. ^ https://www.mfa.gr/en/blog/greece-bilateral-relations/spain/ Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the relation with Spain
  5. ^ "NATO begins security assistance for 2004 Olympics". nato.int. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  6. ^ https://www.mfa.gr/en/blog/greece-bilateral-relations/spain/ Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the relation with Spain