Greece–Uruguay relations

Uruguay was one of the first countries to recognize the newly established Greek state after the war of independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1821.[1] In 1872, Greece and Uruguay established honorary consulates in each other's countries, respectively.[2] In 1916, the La Colectividad Helénica de Montevideo was established in Montevideo as a cultural center for the Greek community in Uruguay.[3] In the 1920s, the first major wave of Greek immigrants arrived in the country.[1] Diplomatic relations between Greece and Uruguay were officially established in 1928.[4] In the 1950s and 1960s, after the Greek Civil War, Uruguay received a second wave of Greek immigrants to the country.[1]

In March 1978, the Maria Tsakos Foundation was established in Montevideo to teach ancient and modern Hellenic culture and language.[1]

In late April 2024, Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou made an official visit to Uruguay, the first Greek head of state to do so.[5] She met with Uruguayan President Luis Lacalle Pou at Residencia de Suárez, signing a cooperation agreement on maritime affairs with him.[6][7] She also met with Vice President Beatriz Argimón during her visit to the Legislative Palace in Montevideo.[8] Likewise, Sakellaropoulou visited the headquarters of the Greek community of Uruguay and different cultural sites in the country, such as the Solís Theatre.[9]

Both nations have signed several bilateral agreements, such as an Agreement on Cultural Cooperation (1967); Agreement on Social Security (1994), an Agreement on the Reciprocal Abolition of Visas for Diplomatic and Service Passport Holders (1994),[2] and an Agreement on Cooperation in Maritime Affairs.[10]

Greece's main exports to Uruguay include: Papadopoulos biscuits, olive oil and tobacco.[11] Uruguay's main exports to Greece include: soy, citruses (primarily lemons) and fish.[2] Greek shipping company, Tsakos Energy Navigation, is a major investor in Uruguay with more than US$250 million invested in the country.[2]

• Greece has an embassy in Montevideo.[12]
• Uruguay has an embassy in Athens.[13]

• Greek Uruguayans
• Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Montevideo

• Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the relation with Uruguay
• Greek embassy in Montevideo (in Greek and Spanish only)
• Tsakos Foundation in Uruguay (contains the Honorary Consulate of Cyprus and is the official Greek Institute in Uruguay)
• Tsakos Industrias Navales SA