Greece-New Zealand relations

Greece-New Zealand relations are foreign relations between Greece and New Zealand. Stemming from World War II, New Zealand forces fought alongside the Greeks in continental Greece and Crete since then, Greece has claimed a special relationship with New Zealand. An under-equipped force made-up of largely New Zealand, Australian, British and Greek troops fought to protect the island from invasion. The invasion of Crete by German paratroops began on 20 May 1941 and ended seven days later with the evacuation of 16,500 Commonwealth troops. Allied losses in the Battle of Crete numbered 15,743. New Zealand casualties were 671 killed and 967 wounded, while 2,180 were taken prisoner. Crete holds a special place in the public imagination of New Zealanders and the Battle of Crete is commemorated every year in both Crete and New Zealand. [http://www.mfa.gr/www.mfa.gr/en-US/Policy/Geographic+Regions/Asia+-+Oceania/Bilateral+Relations/New+Zealand/ Bilateral Relations Greece-New Zealand ] ] Prime Minister Helen Clark led a large party from New Zealand to Crete in May 2001 to attend the 60th anniversary of the battle. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon Phil Goff, attended anniversary celebrations in May 2003 and Hon Annette King in May 2006.The war was followed by a modest wave of Greek emigration to New Zealand. In the 2006 Census 2,547 people primarily identified themselves as being Greek. A bilateral Social Security Agreement came into force on 1 April 1994.

In May 2007, New Zealand hosted Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis for a short visit - the first-ever by a Greek Prime Minister to New Zealand. [ [http://www.mfat.govt.nz/Countries/Europe/Greece.php Greece - Country Information Paper - NZ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade ] ]

Diplomatic Relations

Since 1999 there has been a Greek Embassy in Wellington, also accredited to six island states in the Pacific. As part of an effort to redeploy resources in Europe, New Zealand closed its Embassy in Athens in 1991, since when it has been represented in Greece through its Embassy in Rome which is accredited accordingly. It does still retain an Honorary Consulate General in Athens, however. There is also an Honorary Greek Consulate in Auckland.

On the level of political cooperation the two countries have a like-minded approach to international crises and current issues of international interest. There is particularly close cooperation in offering mutual support within international organizations, such as the Human Rights Commission, the Universal Postal Union, etc. New Zealand also supported Greeces candidacy for a seat on the UN Security Council.

The prevailing climate in political relations between Greece and New Zealand was demonstrated in 2002 by the visit of the President of the Hellenic Republic to Wellington, which confirmed the excellent state of relations between the two countries.

New Zealand and Greece are in the final stages of signing a Working Holiday Scheme between both nations.

Social Security Agreement

The social security agreement between the governments of New Zealand and Greece allows former residents of either country access to certain benefits and pensions under the other country’s social security system. [ [http://www.workandincome.govt.nz/manuals-and-procedures/to_or_from_overseas/reciprocal_agreements/reciprocal_hellenic_republic/reciprocal_hellenic_republic.htm Work and Income | Map | Reciprocal Agreement - Hellenic Republic (Greece) : Introduction ] ]

These benefits include:

* residence and or contributions to the national insurance scheme in Greece can be regarded as residence in New Zealand in order to meet the residence qualifications for some New Zealand benefits and pensions

* residence in New Zealand can be regarded as periods of residence and or contributions to the insurance scheme in Greece to meet the residence qualifications for some Greek benefits and pensions

* some Greek pensions can be paid in New Zealand

* some New Zealand benefits and pensions can be paid in Greece

Greek tours by New Zealand delegates and ministers

New Zealand Ministerial Visits to Greece

New Zealand tours by Greek delegates and ministers

Greek Ministerial Visits to New Zealand

See also

* Foreign relations of Greece
* Foreign relations of New Zealand
* Greeks in New Zealand

References

External links

* [http://www.mfa.gr/www.mfa.gr/en-US/Policy/Geographic+Regions/Asia+-+Oceania/Bilateral+Relations/New+Zealand/ Greek Ministry of Foreign Affaires about relations with New Zealand]
* [http://www.mfat.govt.nz/Countries/Europe/Greece.php New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade about relations with Greece]