The presence of a large
Greek diaspora in South Africa led to the establishment of diplomatic relations as far back as the early 20th century. Relations are cordial and became stronger since
World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...
, during which both countries were allies.
Greece
Greece,, or , romanized: ', officially the Hellenic Republic, is a country in Southeast Europe. It is situated on the southern tip of the Balkans, and is located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Greece shares land borders ...
has an embassy in
Pretoria
Pretoria () is South Africa's administrative capital, serving as the seat of the executive branch of government, and as the host to all foreign embassies to South Africa.
Pretoria straddles the Apies River and extends eastward into the foot ...
, a general consulate in
Johannesburg
Johannesburg ( , , ; Zulu and xh, eGoli ), colloquially known as Jozi, Joburg, or "The City of Gold", is the largest city in South Africa, classified as a megacity, and is one of the 100 largest urban areas in the world. According to Dem ...
and two consulates in
Cape Town
Cape Town ( af, Kaapstad; , xh, iKapa) is one of South Africa's three capital cities, serving as the seat of the Parliament of South Africa. It is the legislative capital of the country, the oldest city in the country, and the second largest ...
and
Durban
Durban ( ) ( zu, eThekwini, from meaning 'the port' also called zu, eZibubulungwini for the mountain range that terminates in the area), nicknamed ''Durbs'',Ishani ChettyCity nicknames in SA and across the worldArticle on ''news24.com'' from ...
. South Africa has an embassy in
Athens
Athens ( ; el, Αθήνα, Athína ; grc, Ἀθῆναι, Athênai (pl.) ) is both the capital and largest city of Greece. With a population close to four million, it is also the seventh largest city in the European Union. Athens dominates ...
and an honorary consulate in
Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki (; el, Θεσσαλονίκη, , also known as Thessalonica (), Saloniki, or Salonica (), is the second-largest city in Greece, with over one million inhabitants in its metropolitan area, and the capital of the geographic region of ...
.
List of recent bilateral visits
* Former
President of South Africa,
Nelson Mandela to Greece (June 18 to 26, 2002)
*
Greek Foreign Minister,
George Papandreou
George Andreas Papandreou ( el, Γεώργιος Ανδρέας Παπανδρέου, , shortened to ''Giorgos'' () to distinguish him from his grandfather; born 16 June 1952) is a Greek politician who served as Prime Minister of Greece from ...
(September 1 to 4, 2002) to South Africa to take part in the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD)
*Former
President of Greece
The president of Greece, officially the President of the Hellenic Republic ( el, Πρόεδρος της Ελληνικής Δημοκρατίας, Próedros tis Ellinikís Dimokratías), commonly referred to in Greek as the President of the Rep ...
, Mr.
Konstantinos Stephanopoulos
Konstantinos "Kostis" Stephanopoulos ( el, Κωνσταντίνος (Κωστής) Στεφανόπουλος, 15 August 1926 – 20 November 2016) was a Greek conservative politician who served two consecutive terms as the president of Gree ...
(October 29 to November 2, 2002)
*Foreign Minister of South Africa, Mrs.
Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma came to Greece (June 20 to 23, 2003) for bilateral discussions during the Greek Presidency of the EU.
*
President of South Africa, Mr.
Thabo Mbeki
Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki KStJ (; born 18 June 1942) is a South African politician who was the second president of South Africa from 14 June 1999 to 24 September 2008, when he resigned at the request of his party, the African National Congress (ANC ...
to Greece (February 24 to 26, 2005).
List of bilateral agreements
* Convention on the avoidance of double taxation of income. Signed on November 19, 1998, put in force on February 19, 2003.
* Agreement on the promotion and mutual protection of investments. Signed on November 19, 1998, put in force on September 5, 2001.
* Agreement of air transports. Signed on November 19, 1998, put in force on May 23, 2001
* Agreement on collaboration in the sector of tourism. Signed on November 19, 1998
* Agreement on the commercial shipping and relevant shipping subjects. Signed on February 26, 1998, put in force on July 13, 2001.
* Agreement of cultural cooperation. Signed on July 25, 2005
See also
*
Foreign relations of Greece
*
Foreign relations of South Africa
The foreign relations of South Africa have spanned from the country's time as Dominion of the British Empire to its isolationist policies under Apartheid to its position as a responsible international actor taking a key role in Africa, particu ...
*
Greeks in South Africa
Greek South Africans are South Africans of Greek ancestry from Greece and Cyprus. The Greek population in South Africa is estimated to be around 120,000.
Notable people
*George Bizos – human rights lawyer who campaigned against apartheid; ...
External links
Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the relation with South Africa*
ttp://www.dfa.gov.za/foreign/sa_abroad/sag.htm#gree South African Department of Foreign Affairs: directions of representations in Greece
{{DEFAULTSORT:Greek-South African Relations
South Africa
South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the Southern Africa, southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the Atlantic Ocean, South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the ...
Greece
Greece,, or , romanized: ', officially the Hellenic Republic, is a country in Southeast Europe. It is situated on the southern tip of the Balkans, and is located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Greece shares land borders ...