Ambassador to Greece

Today I announce the appointment of Mr Arthur Spyrou as Australia’s next Ambassador to Greece. Mr Spyrou will also be accredited to Bulgaria and Romania.

Australia and Greece have an enduring relationship built on strong people-to-people links and bonds forged during both world wars. Four hundred thousand Australians claim Greek heritage, and this community has made a special contribution to developing and enriching contemporary Australia.

Australia has a growing trade relationship with Greece. In 2018, two-way trade in goods and services was valued at $1.1 billion. The entry into force on 1 July of the Australia-Greece bilateral Work and Holiday Arrangement provides further opportunities for travel, cultural exchange and skills exchange for young Australians and Greeks.

Australia shares warm relations and looks forward to furthering our trade and investment ties with Bulgaria and Romania.

Mr Spyrou is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and was most recently Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates. He has previously served overseas as Chargé d’Affaires, Australian High Commission, Nauru; Counsellor, Australian High Commission, Kuala Lumpur; Olympics Attaché for the 2004 Athens Games; and Second Secretary and Deputy Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, Australian Embassy Paris. In Canberra he has served with DFAT as Director, Management and Corporate Strategy Section; Director, Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar Section; and Director, United Nations and Commonwealth Section.

Mr Spyrou holds a Master of Arts (Foreign Affairs and Trade) from Monash University; Bachelor of Laws, Sydney University/Utrecht University; and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours), Sydney University.

I thank former Ambassador Kate Logan for her contributions to advancing Australia’s interests in Greece since 2017.