Policy paper

UK-Greece Strategic Bilateral Framework: third annual review 2025

Published 21 November 2025

The Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs at the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Alexandra Papadopoulou and the Minister of State for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Stephen Doughty MP, chaired on the 3rd November 2025 the third annual review of the UK-Greece Strategic Bilateral Framework (SBF), concluded on the 25th of October 2021.

The two Ministers reaffirmed the importance of the longstanding historic relations between Greece and the UK, recalling the shared interests and principles.

The Ministers also discussed progress achieved under various SBF pillars aiming to further strengthen the relations between Greece and the UK and to work closely in promoting security and stability.

The Ministers also highlighted sectors of additional objectives and initiatives to work on, enhancing their bilateral relationship. 

1. Foreign and regional policy

The Ministers welcomed the wide spectrum of foreign policy cooperation in bilateral and multilateral fora and the progress achieved since the last SBF review on 30 January 2024.

The UK and Greece remain steadfast in their support for the territorial integrity and national sovereignty of Ukraine against Russian aggression and for the respect of international law, including the UN Charter. Since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion, both countries have committed to providing humanitarian, military and financial contributions to bolster Ukraine’s capabilities and have provided diplomatic and political support to Ukraine through NATO, the UN and the UN Security Council.

As non-permanent and permanent members of the UNSC, Greece and the UK will continue to further coordinate their efforts, throughout 2026, in representing European security priorities within the Security Council including on Ukraine. We reaffirm commitment to the principle of territorial integrity and condemn Russia’s use of force against Ukraine. The war in Ukraine is not just a regional issue concerning European security but a critical global conflict which can severely undermine global stability, security and peace.

As both permanent and non-permanent members of the Security Council, guarantor powers and signatory parties to the 1960 Cyprus Treaties, Greece and the United Kingdom expressed their full support for the informal 5+1 talks facilitated by the United Nations Secretary-General in recent months, and their commitment to supporting further progress in the UN-led process in the near future. Both countries reiterated their support for a settlement on the basis of a bizonal bicommunal federation, in accordance with the relevant UNSC Resolutions.

The Ministers exchanged views on developments in Gaza, welcoming the agreement of the first phase of President Trump’s Gaza Peace Plan looking forward to the full implementation of the next phases, including a comprehensive political process leading to Palestinian statehood and expecting all parties to strictly adhere to the agreement’s terms. The Ministers also exchanged views on Iran, Yemen, Libya, Syria and the Eastern Mediterranean. The UK and Greece agree that the security and stability of the wider Eastern Mediterranean region, on the basis of full respect for International Law, including the Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the fundamental principles of the UN Charter, is a key common objective and remain committed to engaging proactively towards this aim. The Ministers also discussed the situation in the Red Sea and underlined the importance of maritime security and freedom of navigation. The Ministers also referred to the ongoing bilateral cooperation under the Technical Assistance Facility for Yemen (TAFFY), with the shared objective of enhancing maritime security in Yemen’s territorial waters. The Ministers re-affirmed their commitment to the continuation of strategic dialogues on priority foreign policy issues over the coming year, including on the Middle East, Ukraine, Eastern Mediterranean and the Western Balkans.

The Ministers exchanged views on developments in the Western Balkans and welcomed the results of the recent Berlin Process Summit hosted by the UK. They reiterated their strong support for the EU facilitated Belgrade-Pristina dialogue and recognised the need to pay attention to the developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The integration of the Western Balkans in the EU remains a priority as an investment to security, stability and prosperity in Europe.

The Ministers agreed that the transatlantic relationship remains at the centre of our interests and that it is important to continue working together to the direction of a positive agenda, on the basis of the common security interests and vital economic relations.

Following Greece’s election as a non-permanent member in the United Nations Security Council (period 2025-2026) in June 2024, and in view of the beginning of the Greek tenure, on 1st January 2025, the UK provided assistance and advice to Greece in the context of the preparations for the demanding tasks of an elected member in the UNSC. In the framework of the Security Council, the two countries are working together in a constructive way in order to respond to the current serious challenges for International Peace and Security. The Ministers noted with satisfaction that the two countries have worked closely together in the field of mutual support for respective candidatures in various international bodies and agreed there was further scope for deeper bilateral cooperation both in the UN and the other International Organizations.  

Against the background of multiplying challenges and security threats in a changing geopolitical environment, Greece, as an EU Member State, engages in a constructive manner and through assuming leading roles in EU common defence capability development, with the view to speed up the pace of reinforcing our security and defence, while taking into account the vital defence and security interests of all EU Member States.

In this context the Ministers noted the UK’s willingness to participate in the reinforcement of the European defence industry through common procurement under Council Regulation (EU) 2025/1106 (SAFE Instrument) and welcomed the opening of negotiations on the modalities for the UK’s participation in the SAFE Instrument.

2. Defence and Security

As long-standing NATO allies and partners, both Ministers reaffirmed their countries’ commitment to continue working towards strengthened defence cooperation.

The UK and Greece signed the “Joint Vision Statement” (JVS) in February 2023, which has proven a useful vehicle to increase and deepen our defence and defence industry partnership.

The Ministers of Defence looked forward to further deepening and enhancing cooperation between the defence industries and the defence ecosystems of Greece and the UK.

The Ministers welcomed the substantial advancements on interoperability between UK and Hellenic Armed Forces and plan to hold further defence cooperation, especially through military exercises, training and education.

The two Ministries are working on the “Annual Road Map” with a view to finalising it promptly. Building on the JVS, this Roadmap will set out further proposals for enhancing Bilateral Defence Cooperation between Greece and UK.

They also looked forward to progress on Government-to-Government proposals for cooperation regarding defence assets.

The two Ministers agreed that the relevant authorities will use regular bilateral consultations to assess progress, exchange information and propose new initiatives for cooperation, including, but not limited to, the following areas;

• the “Annual Road Map” that will be signed at the next available opportunity, builds upon the “Joint Vision Statement” as the foundation for our shared defence activities;

• work closely as NATO Allies to ensure that the Alliance remains the cornerstone of Euro-Atlantic security and enhance Europe’s resilience against security and hybrid threats;

• explore opportunities for cooperation between our defence industries in support of the mutual development of technologies, capabilities and skills.

3. Migration

The Ministers noted the close cooperation between the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum and the UK Home Office on migration issues. Given the importance that migration-related issues bear for both countries, the Ministers proposed furthering their focused bilateral dialogue / exchange of best practices on those issues, including, among others, on fighting illegal migration and migrants smuggling and trafficking, but also on efforts to facilitate legal migration. To that end, they discussed the potential of initiating a structured migration dialogue under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the United Kingdom.

4. Law enforcement, serious organized crime and terrorism

The Ministers welcomed the continued strong cooperation between Greece and the United Kingdom in countering serious organized crime and terrorism. Since the last review, both sides have deepened operational collaboration, notably against organized immigration crime, drug trafficking, illicit tobacco trade and money laundering, with important joint actions underpinned by the Greece–UK Task Force and the EMPACT framework. The National Crime Agency (NCA) and HMRC have provided significant support, including technical equipment and training on covert human intelligence sources.

• Additionally, in May 2025, the two sides co-signed a bilateral Action Plan aimed at enhancing both strategic and operational cooperation in tackling organized crime and illicit finance.
• In the field of counter-terrorism, cooperation remains robust, with regular information exchange, participation in specialized training and the use of secure Europol channels.
• Exchanges on combating sports-related violence and gender-based violence have also been advanced through joint workshops and expert visits.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening coordination in response to evolving regional and global security challenges.

5. Maritime Affairs

Continuing the maritime tradition of both nations, the Ministers reaffirmed their willingness to promote constructive cooperation in the maritime sector at bilateral and international level.

Therefore, it is in our interests in the view of the forthcoming IMO Council elections, which will take place at the 34th IMO Assembly Session in November 2025, to continue and deepen our constructive cooperation through our mutual support as Category ‘A’ Members of the IMO Council.

The recent signing of the MoU on Bilateral Maritime Cooperation in the Field of Merchant Shipping (London, 29.1.2025) has been a constant priority for both countries and it is the result of the strong political will and constructive cooperation based on a spirit of mutual understanding.

At the same time, the Ministers reaffirmed the two sides’ willingness to continue negotiations towards the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding between the relevant Ministries on strengthening bilateral cooperation in maritime affairs according to the “International Convention on standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers of 1978, as amended.” expected to be signed potentially at the earliest convenience.

6. Education

In the field of education, on 13 February 2024, an MoU was signed between the British Embassy Athens, the British Council Greece and Study in Greece, aimed at building upon the objectives of the UK-Greece Strategic Partnership in Education (SPE). Furthermore, in 2024-2025, a series of events were organized within the framework of the UK-Greece SPE. Nine Joint/Dual Master’s Degrees between UK and Greek higher education institutions have been approved and fully funded and will be launched in 2026-27. A wide range of short-term courses and joint research projects between UK and Greek higher education institutions were also implemented in 2024-25. In the context of Greece’s recent legislative reforms in higher education, three British Universities - the University of York, Keele University and The Open University - have been officially licensed to open campuses in Greece.

7. Culture

In the field of culture, the Directorate of Archaeological Museums, Exhibitions, and Educational Programs of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture maintains active cooperation with the Network of European Museum Organizations (NEMO). The Directorate for the Conservation of Ancient and Modern Monuments remains positively disposed towards establishing new partnerships with equivalent conservation bodies. In the sectors of performing arts, cinema, and audiovisual media, cooperation between Greece and the United Kingdom is considered to be of particular significance. Both parties have expressed a shared interest in further enhancing their collaboration within the framework of the Council of Europe’s Revised Convention on Cinematographic Co-Production, to which both countries are Parties.

8. Science and Innovation

As regards the fields of applied scientific and technological cooperation, and building on the existing bilateral “Agreement on Applied Scientific and Technological Cooperation”, signed in Athens on 8.2.1985 and the fifteen (15) Protocols between the General Secretariat for Research and Innovation of the Ministry of Development of Greece and the British Council, in addition to bilateral research projects, co-organization of seminars and workshops in areas of common interest (such as research evaluation, science communication, bioethics) the Ministers also focused on higher education issues, and new, emerging possibilities for cooperation between the two countries. Specifically, alongside the long-standing cooperation between Greek and British research groups, new opportunities arise in the context of the various actions of the Enlargement Program (Teaming, Twinning, ERA Chairs, etc.), in which Greek research and academic organizations are now fully eligible to participate.

9. Tourism

The Ministers reiterated the shared significance of tourism to both countries’ Soft Power, economies, and people to people relations. They expressed their satisfaction over successive years’ outstanding visitor numbers, with Greece remaining a key destination for British visitors. The Ministers stressed the importance of the sustainability of tourism, focusing on the prosperity and development of local communities. They looked forward to the signing of the, under negotiation, Memorandum of Understanding concerning Cooperation in the field Tourism, explicitly referring to the social dimensions of tourism development, to further enhance cooperation, particularly on improving the resilience of the tourism ecosystem and addressing the effects of climate change on tourism.

10. Climate and energy security

Reaffirming both sides’ special interest in climate change and the challenge of a  holistic management approach to its effects, both Ministers underlined the importance of cooperation on training and interoperability, while reaffirmed the commitment of both sides in exploring further cooperation, by working on the drafting of a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of Disaster Management and Firefighting, along with a related roadmap, on crisis management on forest fires and sharing knowledge and good practice, running/ developing a joint framework for training programmes etc.

The Ministers underscored the valuable ongoing dialogue on energy security stressed the potential for further progress in

1. offshore wind power production

2. energy storage and batteries

3. carbon capture and storage (CCS).

11. Trade and investment

The Ministers welcomed the increase in bilateral trade between Greece and the UK, which has continued to expand in goods and services. They reiterated their commitment to sustain efforts to further enhance bilateral cooperation in the field of trade and investment, particularly in the areas of agri-food industry, innovation and emerging digital technologies (including AI), clean energy (renewables, including offshore wind power production), infrastructure and transport, green shipping, healthtech, as well as real-estate, life sciences, defence, and education. In this vein, Greece and the UK are willing to explore the possibilities for targeted actions to further promote trade and investment opportunities in specific priority areas. They are also committed to raise awareness about the prospects for focused cooperation between eligible Greek companies and the UK Export Finance (UKEF), as well as to examine the scope for cooperation between the latter and Export Credit Greece SA (ECG). The Ministers also noted the potential for joint investment action in the Western Balkans and the MENA region and agreed to work towards its realization. This cooperation is without prejudice to Greece’s obligations under EU law and in line with international commitments of the UK and Greece.

12. Digitalisation

The Ministers expressed the interest in expanding and strengthening bilateral cooperation in digitalisation, particularly in the areas of cybersecurity, digital health services, digital governance (with emphasis on digital inclusion), space, artificial intelligence and data governance.

13. Finance

It is proposed that cooperation between the General Secretariat of Fiscal Policy of the Ministry of Economy and Finance of Greece and HM Treasury could be established, to exchange expertise on key areas including, but not limited to, budget preparation and execution, expenditure reviews, green budgeting, performance and output budgeting, monitoring of related performance indicators, and treasury account management, thereby fostering dialogue on fiscal policy and addressing emerging challenges.

14. Health

It is proposed that Greece and the United Kingdom expand their cooperation in the health sector, and in particular in: 1) Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), 2) Preparedness and Response to Infectious Diseases - Example of a European CSN project, 3) Functional Reorganization of the National Public Health Organization (EODY) - An example of cooperation at the reform level, 4) Promoting Health and Well-being Throughout the Lifespan. The Ministers referred to the possibility of Bilateral Contracts/Agreements with certain UK hospitals, which could accept pediatric patients from Greece for special treatment categories. 

Athens, 3 November 2025

Alexandra Papadopoulou, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hellenic Republic

Stephen Doughty MP, Minister of State for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland