In an initiative to systematically organize and preserve records tied to defining moments in its diplomatic past, Greece has completed the digitization of more than thirty-one million pages of archival material from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis has described the project as a landmark step for transparency and historical access and said the digitization strengthens public accountability by providing researchers with broader access to verified material on Greece’s international relations.
Greece’s diplomatic archive spanning two centuries
According to Gerapetritis, the archive forms part of Greece’s broader historical record and reflects the role Greek diplomacy has played in shaping both the modern Greek state and its place in the world.
The digitized material spans the early years of the modern Greek state and includes documents from the early 19th century as well as later stages of institutional development within the foreign service. Greece’s diplomatic archive had been carefully preserved and required specialized handling during the digital conversion process to avoid damage to fragile records.
📌 Χαιρετισμός Υπουργού Εξωτερικών, Γιώργου Γεραπετρίτη, κατά την παρουσίαση του έργου ψηφιοποίησης του Διπλωματικού και Ιστορικού Αρχείου του Υπουργείου Εξωτερικών
🔗https://t.co/VOTnFyo3lb pic.twitter.com/BZsE0uYNiR
— Υπουργείο Εξωτερικών (@GreeceMFA) April 20, 2026
Research access except for classified documents
It has been said that the digitized collection will be made available to the research community, with the exception of certain classified documents which will remain restricted.
The release of verified archival material is expected to support both academic research and broader public understanding. According to Gerapetritis, access to documented sources is essential for studying Greece’s diplomatic history in an informed and credible manner.
Preserving archival information for future use
The project is also intended to support future policymaking by ensuring that historical knowledge is preserved and remains useful. Access to information on both the successes and failures of the past is essential to shaping more favorable future outcomes, the Greek FM said, adding that lessons drawn from history can help prevent the repetition of earlier mistakes.
This latest phase builds on earlier digitization efforts during which several million pages were converted over the past decade. Officials revealed the expansion was made possible through European funding programs and national recovery resources.
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