Saudi Arabia, Greece Sign Defense Agreement

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince, Greek Foreign Minister review bilateral relations and joint cooperation aspects - SPA
Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince, Greek Foreign Minister review bilateral relations and joint cooperation aspects - SPA
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Saudi Arabia, Greece Sign Defense Agreement

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince, Greek Foreign Minister review bilateral relations and joint cooperation aspects - SPA
Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince, Greek Foreign Minister review bilateral relations and joint cooperation aspects - SPA

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, held talks with Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias on Tuesday, Saudi Press Agency reported.

During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations between the Kingdom and Greece, aspects of joint cooperation in various fields, and ways to support and develop them. They also discussed current regional issues and the efforts made toward solving them.

The meeting was attended by Saudi Deputy Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman and Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, along with Greece’s Minister of National Defense Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos.

At the beginning of the meeting, the Saudi and Greek foreign ministers signed an agreement regarding draft arrangements for the legal status of the Greek armed forces participating in supporting the Kingdom’s defense capabilities.

Prince Faisal then held official talks with the two visiting ministers to discuss bilateral relations, the Kingdom’s foreign ministry said.

They also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual concern.

Following the meeting, Panagiotopoulos said: “Greece and Saudi Arabia are linked by strong friendships, have common concerns about current geostrategic challenges and a common vision for the future.”

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir also held talks with Dendias and his accompanying delegation.

Nayef Al-Hajraf, the secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), also met Dendias and Panagiotopoulos, during which he stressed the importance of growing Gulf-Greek relations.

Al-Hajraf and Dendias signed a memorandum of understanding for consultations on issues of common interest between the GCC’s General Secretariat and the Greek government.

Al-Hajraf said the agreement included a mechanism for cooperating and consulting in the political, economic, commercial, and investment fields.



Saudi Interior Ministry Announces Fines on Unauthorized Hajj Pilgrims, Facilitators 

A view of the Kaaba in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)
A view of the Kaaba in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)
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Saudi Interior Ministry Announces Fines on Unauthorized Hajj Pilgrims, Facilitators 

A view of the Kaaba in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)
A view of the Kaaba in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)

The Saudi Ministry of Interior announced Monday fines on individuals who violate regulations requiring a permit to perform the Hajj, as well as for those who facilitate such violations.

Starting from April 29 until the end of June 10, the following fines will apply:

First, a fine of up to SAR20,000 will be imposed on individuals caught performing or attempting to perform the Hajj without a permit, and on holders of all types of visit visas who attempt to enter or stay in Makkah city and the holy sites during the specified period.

Second, a fine of up to SAR100,000 will be imposed on anyone who applies for a visit visa for an individual who has performed or attempted to perform the Hajj without a permit, or who has entered or stayed in Makkah city and the holy sites during the specified period. The fine will multiply for each individual involved.

The same fine will apply to anyone who transports or attempts to transport visit visa holders to Makkah city and the holy sites during the specified period, as well as to those who shelter or attempt to shelter visit visa holders in any accommodations, including hotels, apartments, private housing, shelters, or Hajj pilgrims' housing sites. This includes concealing their presence or providing assistance that enables their stay. The fine will multiply for each individual sheltered, concealed, or assisted.

Third, illegal infiltrators attempting to perform the Hajj, whether residents or overstayers, will be deported to their countries and banned from entering the Kingdom for ten years.

Fourth, the relevant court will be requested to confiscate land vehicles used to transport visit visa holders to Makkah city and the holy sites during the specified period, if owned by the transporter, facilitator, or any accomplices.