Azerbaijani-Greece relations

Diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Greece were established on April in 1992. The Embassy of Greece was opened in Azerbaijan on May 27, 1993 and the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Greece was opened on April 16, 2004.

The bilateral agreements were signed between the two countries in 1994-2004 in the field of economic, industry, technology, science, education, culture, transport, security of investments, customs. In various times the ministers of Greece visiting Azerbaijan denounced the occupation of the territories of one country by another one and non implementation the resolutions of UNO on the Mountainous Garabagh conflict.

The Greek-Azerbaijani relations is developing in the frames of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation and the European Union, too.

The Azerbaijani President Heydar Aliyev received Mr. Magriotis deputy Foreign Minister of Greece, on June 18, 2003. Heydar Aliyev noted that fruitful relations were established with the Caucasian countries as well as with Azerbaijan during the presidency of Greece in the EU. Heydar Aliyev highly appreciated their cooperation with the Caucasian countries, and Azerbaijan, he expressed the readiness for the cooperation in all spheres in future. Iohanis Magriots said in his speech that when Greece chaired the EU it included the issue of the Caucasian countries to the agenda of the organization for the first time. While the events in Iraq took much time, influenced dynamics of our work, I consider that some works have been done. I want to tell you that the appointment of a special representative of EU for the Caucasian countries took place during our chairmanship.

After the election of Ilham Aliyev President of Azerbaijan the relations between Azerbaijan-Greece developed more rapidly. President of Greece Constantinous Ctefanpouls payed an official visit to Azerbaijan on June 20-22, which an indicator of good bilateral relations. After the official welcome ceremony both presidents held tete-a-tete meeting at the Presidential Palace. Ilham Aliyev sincerely welcomed the high guest and appreciated his visit to Azerbaijan as a new stage in the development of bilateral relations. Ilham Aliyev declared that he will follow the policy of the national leader Heydar Aliyev.

The Greek President Constantinous Stephanopoulos thanked the Azerbaijani President for the invitation to pay an official visit and hospitality, and said that there were great opportunities to strengthen the bilateral relations and achieve broad cooperation.

On same day President of Greece was awarded with the title of the honorary doctor of Baku Slavic University and took part at the opening ceremony of the center of modern Greek language and art, as well. During the visit of the Greek President agreements were signed between the governments of the two countries on mutual propagation and security of investments, international transport and customs.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev payed an official visit to Greece to take part at the 18th Summer Olympic Games. The Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and his wife Mehriban Aliyeva took part at the dinner party hosted by Constantinous Stephanopoulos in the honor of the heads of states and governments of 120 countries.

"The day of Azerbaijan" was held in the frames of 18th Summer Olympic Games on August 15.

Ilham Aliyev met C. Karamanlis, prime minister of Greece.

Ilham Aliyev touched upon the current state of Greek-Azerbaijani bilateral relations and expressed his satisfaction with the successful development of cooperation in economy, as well as in energy and other fields.

The Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, who was on an official visit in Athens, met Demetris Avrampoulos, Tourism Minister of Greece.

At the meeting held in the atmosphere of sincerity Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev highly appreciated the arrangements of the 18th Summer Olympic Games and emphasized the fruitful work of the Greek government in this sphere. Speaking about the bilateral relations president Ilham Aliyev noted the necessity of development of economic relations.

President Ilham Aliyev reminded the cooperation of Greece with Azerbaijan which has great opportunities and hoped that soon Azerbaijan also would be one of the developed tourism countries of the world.

Mr. Avrampoulos highly appreciated the care of Azerbaijan for the improvement of sports and tourism in the country.

The Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev again visited Greece on February 16-18, at 2009.

The Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met the Greek President Karolos Papoulias. They expressed their satisfaction with the cooperation on political, economic, energetic fields and emphasized the importance of this visit for the development of bilateral relations.

After the meeting there was a ceremony for the signature of agreements. The convention for avoiding of double taxation on income and property, air services agreement, agreement on cooperation in the field of information and communication, memorandum of understanding in the field of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency were signed between the government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Greek Republic.

Ilham Aliyev took part in the business forum of Azerbaijan and Greece in Athens on February 17, 2009. The business forum was held devoted to the opportunities of business cooperation.

The Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, the Greek President Karlos Populyas, prime minister of Greece Kostas Karamanlis took part in the forum.

The Azerbaijani President made speech in this forum. Bilateral negotiations were held on the business environment and investments.

On the same day President Ilham Aliyev met prime minister of Greece Kostas Karamanlis.

They expressed satisfaction with the extension of relations between the two countries and emphasized the importance of cooperation in the field of the economy and energy. They expressed the importance of the visit of the Azerbaijani President to Greece for the expansion of bilateral relations. The Azerbaijani-Greek business forum would contribute to the establishment of business relations in concrete fields. They emphasized that the documents signed between the two countries would be a legal basis for the economic and other fields of cooperation. They expressed confidence in the future extension of bilateral relations.

Common historical background was made on September 28, 2009.