During the dark days after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Greek aircrews flying NATO AWACS planes patrolled U.S. skies, helping to protect Americans from further attacks.
As members of NATO, the United States and Greece have had a strong relationship for many years.
The relationship still strengthens as the worldwide war on terrorism continues.
During World Wars I and II, Greece was allied with the United States to fight the threats to freedom in the world.
In recent years, particularly since the Berlin Wall came down in 1990, the two governments have continued to form economic ties and sign bilateral agreements.
Today, with the Summer Olympics in Athens approaching, relationships are stronger than ever.
On the economic front, the balance of trade between the two nations favors the United States, with imports from Greece totaling $577 million in 2003 and exports to Greece from our country at an impressive $971 million.
Trade is growing on both sides at a fast pace.
Developing business ties
More recently, the U.S. Embassy has secured a large number of Olympic-related contracts for U.S. companies. According to the U.S. Embassy in Athens, “U.S. firms are widely represented [in the Olympics], including security, telecommunications, catering, design and engineering, lighting and powering of sports venues and spectator services.”
A number of organizations such as the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce and the U.S. Embassy’s U.S. Commercial Service are active and successful in promoting continued American business development in Greece.
A democracy since 1974, Greece joined the European Union in 1981. Since then, Greece has grown increasingly European in its economy, culture and government.
Greek voters recently turned out the dominant socialist party that had been in power for 11 years, replacing it with leaders from the New Democracy party.
While some analysts are convinced that the new leadership will further energize the economy, others argue that there are few differences in the two parties.
Still others say that because Greece is a member of the European Union, most economic decisions affecting Greece are made in Brussels, Belgium. This would indicate the economy of the nation is not likely to be affected by the new leadership.
Even before the elections, Greece had made it easier for American businessmen and tourists to visit, allowing entry to the country for three months or less without a visa, although they do require a passport.
Tourism gains strength
After the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, there was a sharp drop in American tourists visiting Greece. Americans feared attacks on tourists in other countries, especially those near the Middle East.
There was also a perception of strong anti-American sentiment among the general population, even though the two governments were as cordial as ever.
By 2003, Greece ranked 10th among Americans’ preferred destinations, ahead of Switzerland and Spain.
For intended destinations in 2004, Greece ranks third, presumably because of the Olympics and Greece’s shift toward more vigilance and tighter security.
Following the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001, terrorism experts worried that Greece was not aggressive enough in combating terrorism.
A small but violent terrorist group, November 17, named after the date of a deadly student uprising in 1973, operated in Greece for more than 25 years. The group November 17 assassinated government officials from Greece and other nations, including two Americans, and carried out several bombings.
In July 2002, following an aborted bombing attempt in the port city of Piraeus, Greek authorities had a breakthrough and were able to begin arresting members of the November 17 group. Along with the arrests, authorities seized weapons and documents and generally calming criticism of Greece’s efforts in the war on terrorism.
Other terrorist organizations still operate in Greece, but have been quiet in recent years.
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