Greece's Foreign Affairs Minister Nikos Dendias will meet in Athens today (8/12) with his Australian counterpart, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia, Marise Payne.
Following their meeting, the ministers will have a joint press conference at 13.20 today.
According to Greek government sources, a discussion between Dendias and Payne will focus on strengthening bilateral cooperation in a wide range of areas, on coordination between the two countries in International Organizations, on developments in Greece’s broader neighbourhood and in the Indo-Pacific region, as well as on the Greek Diaspora in Australia as a link between the two states.
Payne visited the Tomb of the Fallen Soldier to commemorate the sacrifice of those who fought for Australia and Greece during the World Wars, including the Battle for Greece.
2021 marks 200 years since the 🇬🇷 War of Independence & the 80th anniversary of the Battle for Greece, in which our troops fought side-by-side. I was honoured to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Athens to pay tribute to those who fell for freedom. pic.twitter.com/jwqHgVhCid
— Marise Payne (@MarisePayne) December 9, 2021
RESOURCE | AUSTRALIA - GREECE RELATIONS
Greek-Australian relations are very warm due to historical and Greek Australian community ties. The success – over the course of decades – of the Greek Australian community has helped to shape, maintain and further strengthen Australia’s relations with Greece.
The Greek Australian community is now an integral part of Australian society. There are numerous communities and local Greek associations in almost every city, as well as federations of associations on a Pan-Australian level.
The two countries are linked by strong historical ties due to the common struggles of the two Nations during both World War I and II – particularly the Battle of Crete.
During World War I the Greek island of Lemnos served as a military and medical base for almost 50.000 Australian soldiers and medical staff who participated at the Gallipoli Campaign. During the Battle of Crete in the May of 1941, Australian soldiers fought alongside Greek, New Zeeland and British troops against Nazi invasion. The Battle of Crete is commemorated, in late May, in both Australia and Greece,
The Holy Greek Orthodox Archbishopric of Australia, with headquarters in Sydney, plays an important role and does extensive philanthropic and educational work.
The high level of our bilateral relations is reflected in the frequent exchange of high-level visits, the extensive contractual framework that covers a broad range of cooperation, and harmonious cooperation within the framework of international organizations.
Economic Relations
For information on bilateral economic relations, such as country business guide, country report, useful contacts and other trade updates, click link below:
http://agora.mfa.gr/ta-grafeia-oikonomikon-emporikon-upotheseon/grafeia-ana-xora/office/816
Cultural Relations and Greek Community
Greek-Australian cultural relations are regulated by the 1979 Cultural Agreement that is implemented via Memoranda signed with the individual Australian States.
In higher education, there are seven (7) Chairs of Modern Greek Language and Culture at major Australian universities, including the Universities of Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Adelaide, Hobart and Perth.
In addition, a Greek Studies Research Centre operates in the University La Trobe, Melbourne.
[Ministry of Foreign Affairs : Greece]