Greece–Lebanon relations
Encyclopedia
Greece–Lebanon relations are the foreign relations between the two states of Greece
and Lebanon
. The relation between both people dates back to early antiquity
, with the early trading activities between the ancient Greek
s and the Phoenicia
ns. In modern times, Greek-Lebanese bilateral relations are very good at all levels. Greece has an embassy in Beirut
and Lebanon has an embassy in Athens
. Both countries are members of the Union for the Mediterranean
and the Francophonie.
Greece is also considered as a spiritual reference for the Lebanese Greek Orthodox and Greek Catholic
communities.
.
In the diplomatic and political field, there is a good state of cooperation and a mutual support for candidacies. Greece actively supported Lebanon during the recent war. It responded immediately to the request for the provision of humanitarian aid and continues to contribute to the countrys reconstruction, not only at an economic but also political level. The humanitarian aid offered by Greece to the Lebanese people, during the recent 2006 Lebanon War is estimated at €
2.5 million , including financial contributions. Furthermore, financial assistance offered by Greece through international organisations reached € 273,500. At the recent International Donor Conference in Paris
(January 25, 2007), Greece announced further assistance funds for the construction of Lebanese infrastructure, worth € 5 million.
The president of the Hellenic Republic, Karolos Papoulias
, carried out a state visit in Lebanon from 13 to 16 January 2004. During this visit, relations between Greece and Lebanon were further promoted through the signing of bilateral agreements and the meeting of the two countries' business communities. The Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis
visited Lebanon at the end of August in order to be fully informed by Lebanese officials on the country's state of affairs, in view of Greece's presidency of the UN
Security Council in September 2006. Other visits to Lebanon were also carried out by the head of the main Greek opposition party, George Papandreou and the Greek Deputy Finance Minister.
programmes, several Agronomy
graduates have completed their studies at the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania
. The existing could have further exploitation for further educational and cultural cooperation.
and the neighboring port city of Piraeus
.
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
and Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
. The relation between both people dates back to early antiquity
Classical antiquity
Classical antiquity is a broad term for a long period of cultural history centered on the Mediterranean Sea, comprising the interlocking civilizations of ancient Greece and ancient Rome, collectively known as the Greco-Roman world...
, with the early trading activities between the ancient Greek
Ancient Greece
Ancient Greece is a civilization belonging to a period of Greek history that lasted from the Archaic period of the 8th to 6th centuries BC to the end of antiquity. Immediately following this period was the beginning of the Early Middle Ages and the Byzantine era. Included in Ancient Greece is the...
s and the Phoenicia
Phoenicia
Phoenicia , was an ancient civilization in Canaan which covered most of the western, coastal part of the Fertile Crescent. Several major Phoenician cities were built on the coastline of the Mediterranean. It was an enterprising maritime trading culture that spread across the Mediterranean from 1550...
ns. In modern times, Greek-Lebanese bilateral relations are very good at all levels. Greece has an embassy in Beirut
Beirut
Beirut is the capital and largest city of Lebanon, with a population ranging from 1 million to more than 2 million . Located on a peninsula at the midpoint of Lebanon's Mediterranean coastline, it serves as the country's largest and main seaport, and also forms the Beirut Metropolitan...
and Lebanon 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...
. Both countries are members of the Union for the Mediterranean
Union for the Mediterranean
The Union for the Mediterranean is a multilateral partnership that encompasses 43 countries from Europe and the Mediterranean Basin: the 27 member states of the European Union and 16 Mediterranean partner countries from North Africa, the Middle East and the Balkans...
and the Francophonie.
Greece is also considered as a spiritual reference for the Lebanese Greek Orthodox and Greek Catholic
Melkite Greek Catholic Church
The Melkite Greek Catholic Church is an Eastern Catholic Church in full communion with the Holy See as part of the worldwide Catholic Church. The Melkites, Byzantine Rite Catholics of mixed Eastern Mediterranean and Greek origin, trace their history to the early Christians of Antioch, Syria, of...
communities.
History
The Greek-Lebanese relations are traditionally very friendly and are characterized by mutual respect and trust. Along the historical nature between the two states, Greece has been a strong supporter of Lebanese political causes since 1948 and hosted Lebanese citizens during the Lebanese Civil WarLebanese Civil War
The Lebanese Civil War was a multifaceted civil war in Lebanon. The war lasted from 1975 to 1990 and resulted in an estimated 150,000 to 230,000 civilian fatalities. Another one million people were wounded, and today approximately 350,000 people remain displaced. There was also a mass exodus of...
.
In the diplomatic and political field, there is a good state of cooperation and a mutual support for candidacies. Greece actively supported Lebanon during the recent war. It responded immediately to the request for the provision of humanitarian aid and continues to contribute to the countrys reconstruction, not only at an economic but also political level. The humanitarian aid offered by Greece to the Lebanese people, during the recent 2006 Lebanon War is estimated at €
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
2.5 million , including financial contributions. Furthermore, financial assistance offered by Greece through international organisations reached € 273,500. At the recent International Donor Conference in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
(January 25, 2007), Greece announced further assistance funds for the construction of Lebanese infrastructure, worth € 5 million.
The president of the Hellenic Republic, Karolos Papoulias
Karolos Papoulias
-Honours:*Knight Grand Cross with Grand Cordon of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic *Knight Grand Cross of the Grand Order of King Tomislav *Knight of the Order of the Elephant- External links :*...
, carried out a state visit in Lebanon from 13 to 16 January 2004. During this visit, relations between Greece and Lebanon were further promoted through the signing of bilateral agreements and the meeting of the two countries' business communities. The Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis
Dora Bakoyannis
Dora Bakoyannis , born Theodora Mitsotaki , is a Greek politician. From 2006 to 2009 she was Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece, the highest position ever held by a woman in the Cabinet of Greece; she was also Chairperson-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe in...
visited Lebanon at the end of August in order to be fully informed by Lebanese officials on the country's state of affairs, in view of Greece's presidency of the UN
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Security Council in September 2006. Other visits to Lebanon were also carried out by the head of the main Greek opposition party, George Papandreou and the Greek Deputy Finance Minister.
Agreements
Major interstate agreements include:- Agreement of judicial assistance and expulsion
- Agreement for the promotion and mutual protection of investments
- Consular convention of trade, shipping and installation
- Trade Agreement
- Agreement on international road transport for passengers and merchandise
- Educational Agreement for Cultural and Scientific Cooperation. Following the entry into force of this agreement, the 1949 Educational Agreement is no longer valid
- Agreement for economic and technological cooperation
- Agreement for cooperation in the field of tourism. Following the entry into force of this agreement, the Agreement on Cooperation on Tourism of 1970 is no longer valid.
- Agreement for the avoidance of double taxation of income from shipping of air transport
- Protocol of economic, scientific and technical cooperation in the field of agriculture.
Cultural relations
Greece's contribution in the cultural field is significant, given that the Ministry of National Education and Religion grants 17 scholarships a year to Greek Universities and Technical Institutes. In Lebanon, there is an association of Lebanese Graduates from Greek Universities LLGGU http://www.llggu.org presided by Dr.Georges Scheib and founded in year 1994, whose members are approximately 140. Also within the framework of EUEuropean Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
programmes, several Agronomy
Agronomy
Agronomy is the science and technology of producing and using plants for food, fuel, feed, fiber, and reclamation. Agronomy encompasses work in the areas of plant genetics, plant physiology, meteorology, and soil science. Agronomy is the application of a combination of sciences like biology,...
graduates have completed their studies at the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania
Chania
Chaniá , , also transliterated Chania, Hania, and Xania, older form Chanea and Venetian Canea, Ottoman Turkish خانيه Hanya) is the second largest city of Crete and the capital of the Chania peripheral unit...
. The existing could have further exploitation for further educational and cultural cooperation.
Greeks in Lebanon
The Greek community in Lebanon included no more than 2,500 persons before the recent 2006 war, but most of them have been evacuated from the country with Greek ships, in order to avoid war operations. There is a Greek community and also a Hellenic Club in Beirut. Currently, there is an estimated 1,500 Greek citizen living in Lebanon.Lebanese in Greece
The Lebanese community in Greece currently includes approximately 30,000 citizens, concentrated mainly in the capital AthensAthens
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 the neighboring port city of Piraeus
Piraeus
Piraeus is a city in the region of Attica, Greece. Piraeus is located within the Athens Urban Area, 12 km southwest from its city center , and lies along the east coast of the Saronic Gulf....
.
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 LebanonForeign relations of LebanonThe foreign policy of Lebanon reflects its geographic location, the composition of its population, and its reliance on commerce and trade. Until 2005, Lebanon's foreign policy had been heavily influenced by Syria. The framework for relations was first codified in May 1991, when Lebanon and Syria...
- Greek diasporaGreek diasporaThe 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...
- Lebanese diasporaLebanese diasporaLebanese diaspora refers to Lebanese migrants and their descendants who by choice or coercion emigrated from Lebanon and now reside in other countries....