Bilateral Relations between Greece and Kuwait

Relations

Political: The bilateral relationships between the two States are excellent. Greece established diplomatic relations with Kuwait in 1964. Greece has been one of the 34 state-members of the Alliance Force that contributed to the liberation of Kuwait from Iraq at 1991. In 1998, the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs have undersigned a Memorandum of Understanding for Bilateral Consultations.   Since 2005 the Embassy of Greece is located in Khaldiya.

Cultural: Based on the Archeological Cooperation Agreement of 2007, Greek archeologists have worked on excavations and cooperated with the competent Kuwait Authorities at the Hellenic fortification of Failaka island (Dec. 2007 – Jan. 2008, Jan 2009-Feb.2009).  During  Alexander’s the Great era, the Failaka was colonized by Greeks, who named it “Ikaria”, due to its geographical similarity with the Greek island of Ikaria, in the Aegean sea. Today the island is known as Failaka, a name of Greek origin, which means “Fylakion (Fortification)”.

Business: The Greek Presence in Kuwait is increasing progressively. Greeks are working in various fields of the private sector (i.e. Construction, Finance, I.T.). Moreover, business, economic cooperation and trade increase significantly between Greek and Kuwaiti partners.

Tourism: Greece is becoming a popular destination for Kuwaitis, due to its history, Mediterranean coastline and beaches.  The country in general attracts more than 17 million people each year. International events like the 2004 Summer Olympic Games held in Athens, greatly helped to boost tourism in the country. Moreover, large-scale cultural projects such as the New Acropolis Museum contributed to the flow of tourists in the country. The most-visited regions of Greece are in Central Macedonia (Thessaloniki, Halkidiki, Vergina, Mount Olympus, Pella:the birthplace of Alexander the Great), Attica (Athens), Crete island, the Dodecanese islands(Rhodes/Rodos,Kos, Patmos, Astipalea, Kalimnos, Karpathos, Kasos, Leros, Nisyros, Symi, Tilos and Kastellorizo. Other islands in the chain include Agathonisi, Alimia, Arkoi, Chalki, Farmakonisi, Gyali, Kinaros, Levitha, Lipsi, Nimos, Pserimos, Saria, Syrna, Telendos), the Cyclades islands(most popular are Mykonos, Thera/Santorini, Ios, Sifnos, Naxos, Paros, Antiparos, Folegandros, Serifos, Amorgos, Anafe, Andros, Delos, Eschate, Kea, Kímolos, Kythnos, Melos, Sikinos, Syros, Tenos), and the Ionian islands(Kerkyra/Corfu, Paxi, Lefkada, Ithaki, Kefalonia, Zakynthos, Kythira).