Greece and Saudi Arabia Hold Landmark Strategic Cooperation Council Meeting

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman co-chaired the inaugural Greece-Saudi Arabia High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council in Al Ula on Monday, marking a milestone in bilateral relations, CE Report quotes Athens-Macedonian

During the meeting, Mitsotakis emphasized the historic nature of Greece's first High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council with a Middle Eastern country. He highlighted the significance of Saudi Arabia as a strategic partner for Europe, underlining the critical role the Arab world plays in regional and global stability.

The discussions underscored the shared vision for enhancing cooperation in key sectors such as defense, investments, trade, energy, tourism, culture, and sports. The Council approved 46 joint initiatives and established a governance structure comprising seven committees, led by relevant ministers from both nations.

Mitsotakis highlighted Greece's ambitions to become a hub for renewable energy, digital connectivity, and trade, offering itself as a gateway between Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. He also pointed to the potential for collaboration through the India-Middle East-Europe (IMEC) Economic Corridor.

In a private meeting, the leaders discussed pressing global and regional issues, including the crises in Gaza and Syria. Mitsotakis called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and reiterated Greece's commitment to Syria's territorial integrity. Discussions also touched on maritime safety in the Red Sea, a priority for Greece.

The landmark meeting reflects a shared commitment to elevating Greek-Saudi relations and addressing shared challenges in a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape.