On 4 September 1920 (22 August Old Style), in Athens, Great Britain and Greece sign the Agreement Relating to the Suppression of the Capitulations in Egypt — the understanding by which Greece renounces capitulatory privileges in favour of the British administration in Egypt.

Plenipotentiaries are Earl Granville (Great Britain) and Nikolaos Politis (Greece). The document regulates the legal situation of Greek citizens after non-renewal of the mixed tribunals’ powers (1 November) and after recognition of the British protectorate of 1914.

Greece accepts renunciation of the capitulatory regime, with safeguards for Greek interests; Greek consular courts cease except for pending cases. Ratifications were exchanged in Athens on 4 January 1921; the agreement was registered in the League of Nations Treaty Series.

It forms part of the series of bilateral accords by which European powers abandoned the Capitulations in Egypt.

For interwar Egypt, 4 September 1920 marks the Anglo-Greek signature.

The text is published in the UK Treaty Series (Cmd. 1237 / TS 5/1921).

The Anglo-Greek Capitulations agreement of 4 September 1920 remains the Greek privileges-renunciation milestone.

Image: Athens/Egypt; Wikimedia Commons. Cropped to 16:9.

Source consulted: Agreement on Suppression of Capitulations in Egypt (1920). Treaty text: UK Treaty Series — Capitulations in Egypt Agreement (1920).