Saudi Arabia, Greece Agree to Boost Defense, Security Cooperation

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis meet in Riyadh. (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis meet in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, Greece Agree to Boost Defense, Security Cooperation

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis meet in Riyadh. (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis meet in Riyadh. (SPA)

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, held talks on Tuesday with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on bilateral relations and opportunities to enhance the prospects of cooperation between their countries in various fields.

Meeting in Riyadh, they also exchanged views on regional and international developments to support and strengthen the security and stability in the region.

They agreed to raise the readiness and skills of their military through joint military exercises and maneuvers. They agreed to coordinate and exchange military experience to achieve security for both countries and stability for the region.

The two sides decided to localize the supportive technology and military industries while aiming to promote and develop such cooperation to achieve security and stability for their countries.

A statement at the end of their talks said the officials discussed future opportunities for economic cooperation and enable commercial and investment partnerships within the framework of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

The stressed the importance of all efforts to reach a comprehensive political solution to the Yemeni crisis based on the three references: The Gulf initiative and its executive mechanism, the outcomes of the Comprehensive National Dialogue, and the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, including resolution 2216.

They also condemned armed drone and ballistic missile attacks by the terrorist Iran-backed Houthi militias in Yemen on the Kingdom’s territory.

The two leaders also stressed the need to strengthen the international partnership to combat extremism and terrorism.

The statement revealed that the officials agreed to examine the possibility of establishing a mutual investment fund.

Saudi Arabia welcomed the Greek private sector’s direct partnership with its Saudi counterpart in fields of desalination plants, drinking water, water lines, sewage treatment plants, among others. They hoped to boost cooperation in the renewable energy sector, military and pharmaceutical industries, and logistics services.

Furthermore, the two sides agreed to arrange regular Saudi-Greek investment forums that bring together several business leaders and heads of the private sector institutions from both countries.

The Council of Saudi Chambers and the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises (SEV) recently signed an agreement to establish the Saudi-Greek Business Council to exchange expertise in maritime training and education and promote cooperation between naval administrations.

The statement said both delegations exchanged views on the situation in their regions, in addition to political issues, crises in the Middle East, and international issues of common concern.

The stressed the need for the international community to assume its responsibilities in maintaining international peace and security and halting all forms of interference in countries’ internal affairs to achieve security and stability in the Middle East and the world.

The Greek side lauded Saudi Arabia’s efforts to maintain regional and international peace and security.

The statement also addressed the prime minister’s participation in the Green Middle East Initiative Summit, appreciating its positive role in achieving stability and environmental balance and minimizing the effects of climate change, which will, in turn, bring prosperity and development to the people of the region.

Mitsotakis praised Saudi Arabia and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the great efforts and constructive and distinct initiatives in tourism and climate change.

He attended the Future Investment Initiative Forum at its fifth session, which discussed global economic trends and the future of the international investment environment.



Arab League Condemns Israeli Decision to Establish New Settlements in West Bank

A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)
A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)
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Arab League Condemns Israeli Decision to Establish New Settlements in West Bank

A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)
A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)

Secretary-General of the League of Arab States Ahmed Aboul Gheit condemned the decision by the Israeli occupation’s ministerial committee to approve the establishment of 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, considering it a blatant challenge to the international will rejecting settlement activity and a violation of international law, which affirms the illegitimacy of settlements.

In a statement issued Monday, the secretary-general said the continued expansion of illegal settlement activity aims to prevent the establishment of a geographically contiguous Palestinian state and reflects the nature of the Israeli government, which he said is controlled by extremists and settlers, SPA reported.

Aboul Gheit stressed that settlement expansion will not make it legitimate under any circumstances.

 

He highlighted that the violence practiced by extremist settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank constitutes a form of terrorism carried out under the watch and with the protection of the official institutions of the occupying power.


Saudi FM Arrives in Muscat for Meeting of Saudi-Omani Coordination Council 

Omani FM Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi welcomes his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah upon his arrival in Muscat. (SPA)
Omani FM Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi welcomes his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah upon his arrival in Muscat. (SPA)
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Saudi FM Arrives in Muscat for Meeting of Saudi-Omani Coordination Council 

Omani FM Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi welcomes his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah upon his arrival in Muscat. (SPA)
Omani FM Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi welcomes his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah upon his arrival in Muscat. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah arrived in Muscat on Monday.

He was received by his Omani counterpart Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi upon his arrival at Muscat International Airport.

The two sides are scheduled to hold the third meeting of the Saudi-Omani Coordination Council.


Saudi Defense Minister Decorates Pakistan's Army Chief with King Abdulaziz Medal of Excellent Class

The ceremony took place in Riyadh on Sunday upon the directive of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. SPA
The ceremony took place in Riyadh on Sunday upon the directive of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. SPA
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Saudi Defense Minister Decorates Pakistan's Army Chief with King Abdulaziz Medal of Excellent Class

The ceremony took place in Riyadh on Sunday upon the directive of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. SPA
The ceremony took place in Riyadh on Sunday upon the directive of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. SPA

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz has decorated Chief of the Pakistani Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir with King Abdulaziz Medal of Excellent Class, honoring his distinguished efforts to strengthen the strategic relationship and cooperation between the two nations.

The ceremony took place in Riyadh on Sunday upon the directive of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

Prince Khalid congratulated Field Marshal Munir on his appointment as Pakistan’s Chief of Defense Forces, wishing him continued success in his new role.

During the meeting, the two sides reviewed the historical Saudi-Pakistani relations and the strategic cooperation in defense, discussing efforts to establish the foundations of international peace and security, as well as issues of common interest.