Another important parameter in this relation are the Greek – Australians, a 700.000 strong community which is a vibrant and integral part of the Australian society. There are numerous parishes, communities and local Hellenic associations across Australia.
Our two countries share strong historical bonds fighting side by side during WWII, especially in the campaign in the Greek mainland and the Battle of Crete.
The Greek Orthodox Archbishopric of Australia, with headquarters in Sydney, plays a major pastoral role and exercises extensive philanthropic and educational work.
The high level of the bilateral relations is reflected in the frequent exchange of high-level visits, the extensive institutional framework for bilateral cooperation and the multilateral coordination in international fora.
Main Visits by Greek Officials
- 1982: Official visit of the President of the Hellenic Republic, Mr Konstantinos Karamanlis.
- 1984: Visit of the Minister of Culture, Hon. Melina Merkouri.
- 1987: Visit of Deputy Minister of Culture, Hon. George Papandreou
- 1988: Official visit of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for National Defence, Hon. Ioannis Haralambopoulos (Expo 88 and Unveiling of the Australian – Hellenic War Memorial).
- 1988: Official visit of the President of the Hellenic Republic, Mr. Konstantinos Sartzetakis, on the occasion of the Bicentenary of Australia.
- 1996: Official visit of the President of the Hellenic Parliament, Hon. Apostolos Kaklamanis.
- 2002: Official visit of the President of the Hellenic Republic, Mr Konstantinos Stephanopoulos.
- 2007: Official visit of the Prime Minister of Greece, Hon. Konstantinos Karamanlis
Treaties and Agreements between Greece and Australia
- Agreement between The Government of the Hellenic Republic and The Government of Australia concerning the graves of members of the Australian Armed Forces in Greek territory.
- Agreement between The Government of the Hellenic Republic and The Government of Australia on Cultural Cooperation (1981).
- Treaty on extradition between The Government of the Hellenic Republic and The Government of Australia (1991).
- Treaty on mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters between The Government of the Hellenic Republic and The Government of Australia (2005).
- Agreement on Social Security between The Government of the Hellenic Republic and The Government of Australia (2008).
- Agreement between The Government of the Hellenic Republic and The Government of Australia relating to Air Services (1971).
- Agreement between The Government of the Hellenic Republic and The Government of Australia for The Avoidance of Double Taxation of Income derived from Air Transport (1981).
- Agreement between The Government of the Hellenic Republic and The Government of Australia about the possibility of employment for the dependent family members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps (1998).
- Agreement between The Government of the Hellenic Republic and The Government of Australia about cooperation in the field of Sports (2000)
Cooperation between Greece and Australia at the Parliamentarian level
There are Parliamentarian Friendship Committees at the Federal Level as well as the States Level with a high frequency of exchange of visits. Greek – Australian MPs continue through the years a successful tradition. The same applies to elected representatives in local government.
Anniversaries / Historical landmarks
Anniversaries play a very important role in keeping alive the memory of common historical experiences (such as Lemnos and the Gallipoli centenary of 2015 or the Battle of Crete 75th anniversary in 2016).
Also, the 2014 celebration of the 30-year anniversary from the signing of the Twinship Agreement between Melbourne and Thessaloniki is an expression of the dynamism and the vivacity of the Greek-Australian cooperation at the level of business community and civil society.
In February 2013 a commemoration event took place at Bonegilla Camp honouring the 60-year anniversary from the arrival of Greek immigrants through the arrangement of assisted migration.