Canada-Greece Relations

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Canada-Greece bilateral relations are friendly and active. In multilateral fora, this is expressed through dialogue at the United Nations, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, la Francophonie and NATO. Greece and Canada also share many foreign policy objectives.

A number of useful bilateral treaties also provide an effective framework for productive economic relations and for cooperation on relevant international issues. The most recent bilateral agreements are the Convention Between Canada and the Hellenic Republic for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion With Respect to Taxes on Income and on Capital which came into effect on January 1, 2011, and the Agreement Between Canada and the Hellenic Republic Concerning Youth Mobility, which will enter into force in early 2013.

Greek-Canadian Community

Roughly 243,000 Canadians claim Greek descent. It is estimated that 20-25,000 Greek Canadians live in Greece with 140,000 Canadians visiting Greece annually. These persons contribute to the positive perception of Canada in Greece.

In 1996, to foster closer commercial relations, the business community in Athens established the Canadian-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce (CHCC).

Education Cooperation

A Memorandum of Understanding in Education Cooperation, signed in July 1998, provides the basis for a growing number of cooperative arrangements between Canadian and Greek Universities. The Greek government has provided extensive funding for the establishment of Chairs and Centres of Hellenic Studies, notably at McGill University (in cooperation with Université de Montréal and Concordia), York, University of Manitoba and Simon Fraser University. The first Canadian Studies Centre in Greece was established in 2002 at the University of Athens.

Trade

Canada and Greece have been enjoying good trade relations for many years. Bilateral merchandise trade reached $256.3 million in 2011. Canadian exports totalled $88.1 million, led by furs, vegetables and pharmaceutical products to Greece. Canadian imports from Greece totalled $168.2 million in 2011, led by preserved food, fats and oil (mainly olive oil) and articles of iron and steel.

Investment

A number of Canadian companies have operations or partnerships in Greece. They include:

• Eldorado Gold Corp
• McCain Hellas S.A.
• IBI
• Bombardier
• Coffee Time Hellas

There are several Greek companies with operations in Canada. They include:

• Converge ICT Solutions & Services S.A. (digital media)
• M.J. Maillis Group (containers & packaging)  
• Neoset S.A. (furniture & fixtures)
• Optimum S.A. (business and professional services)
• Titan Cement Company SA (construction - raw materials)