Greece–Qatar relations

Greece – Qatar relations

Greece
Qatar

Greece – Qatar relations are the bilateral relations between the Hellenic Republic and the State of Qatar. Relations were formed in 1973.[1]

Diplomatic representation

Greece opened its embassy in Doha in 2007.[1] It is headed by Constantinos Orphanides as of 2016.[2] Qatar has had an embassy in Athens since 2008.[1] Abdulaziz Ali Al-Naama has served as the Qatari ambassador to Greece since 2016.[3]

After Egypt closed its embassy in Qatar in 2017, the Greek embassy in Doha agreed to diplomatically represent Egyptian citizens.[4]

Diplomatic visits

In March 2009, Greek Deputy Prime Minister Theodors Pangalos paid a visit to Qatar.[5]

Diplomatic relations

Military

Several military agreements between Qatar and Greece have been signed, such as an agreement on joint training exercises and a tripartite memorandum of understanding between Qatar's government, the Hellenic Vehicle Industry and the Hellenic Aerospace Industry.[1]

Business and economy

Both countries signed a deal on the avoidance of double taxation in 2008.[6] Qatar signed an agreement in 2010 in which it would invest $5 billion in Greece over the following years.[7]

In January 2013, Qatar Investment Authority's real estate arm Qatari Diar had been involved in a bid to redevelop Ellinikon International Airport but decided to withdrew from the tender. Later that month, the company recanted its withdrawal after a visit to Doha by Prime Minister Antonis Samaras.[8] Furthermore, during the visit, the Qatari government agreed to create a $1.34 billion joint fund to assist small-to-medium businesses in Greece to aid its recession-struck economy.[9] Also in 2013, another section of the Qatar Investment Authority, Qatar Holding, invested €1.2 billion in northern Greece's gold mining industry.[10]

Former Emir of Qatar Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani purchased six islets in Greece for a sum of €8.5 million in 2013.[11] He was reportedly interested in constructing a massive palace on one of the islets, but would be challenged by the Greek legal system due to its laws regarding the size of residences.[12]

A joint business council was established in 2015.[13] Trade turnover is low. In 2017, the total bilateral trade volume was $372 million.[13]

In terms of cooperation between companies, Greek company Anangel Maritime Services signed a joint venture agreement with Qatar-based Nakilat to employ 10 of its ships to transport LNG.[14] There were approximately 7 Greek companies operating in Qatar in 2017.[15]

Migration

According to the Qatari Ministry of Interior, there are 2,200 Greek migrants in Qatar as of 2016.[14]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Greece's Bilateral Relations: Qatar". Hellenic Republic Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  2. ↑ "The Ambassador". Hellenic Republic Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  3. ↑ "Ambassador". Qatari embassy in Athens. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  4. ↑ "Greek embassy in Qatar takes over Egypt's diplomatic representation in Doha". Xinhua. 6 June 2017. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  5. ↑ William Skidmore (19 April 2009). "Can Greek construction capitalise in Qatar?". Construction Week Online. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  6. ↑ "Qatar-Greece relation". Qatari embassy in Athens. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  7. ↑ Harry Papachristou, Ingrid Melander (24 September 2010). "Qatar signs deal to invest up to $5 billion in Greece". Reuters. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  8. ↑ "Qatar rejoins bid for Greek ex-airport lease". Gulf News. 23 February 2013. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  9. ↑ "Qatar could invest up to 1 billion euros in Greece". Doha News. 30 January 2013. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  10. ↑ "Greek PM to visit Qatar to discuss investment". Reuters. 22 January 2013. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  11. ↑ Spyridon N. Litsas, Aristotle Tziampiris (9 November 2016). Foreign Policy Under Austerity: Greece's Return to Normality?. Springer. p. 68.
  12. ↑ Courtney Trenwith (1 April 2013). "Qatar emir plans palace for Greek isle: report". Arabian Business. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  13. 1 2 "Qatar and Greece to boost bilateral trade relations". Gulf Times. 8 May 2018. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  14. 1 2 "Greece beckons Qatar with investment opportunities". Qatar Tribune. 19 May 2016. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  15. ↑ Ashraf Siddiqui (29 March 2017). "'Qatar-Greece ties very strong'". Qatar Tribune. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.