The inaugural high-level cooperation council between Greece and Saudi Arabia commenced on Monday in the Arabian oasis city of AlUla, attended by visiting Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Arabia’s crown prince and prime minister.
The development marks Greece’s first such high-Level cooperation council with a Middle East country.
“This shows the value we place on cooperation with Saudi Arabia at this critical juncture for the world and for the wider region,” Mitsotakis said, adding:
“Saudi Arabia is a strategic partner for Greece and the EU, and a key player for stability and prosperity in the entire region. The global landscape is being reshaped, and, within this context, the role of the Arab World and Saudi Arabia is critical. The security of Europe and the Middle East are inter-dependent.”
The Greek premier also said the wide-ranging meeting sends a clear message that both nations are reinforcing cooperation at the highest level and in a wide array of sectors, including defense, investments, trade, energy, tourism, culture and sports. In detailing prospective investments, Mitsotakis pointed to shipping, agri-nutritional products and the construction sector.
Both leaders later signed the joint minutes of the meeting, which contain 46 initiatives mutually agreed to by the relevant joint committees convened under the cooperation council framework.
