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.



Qatar's Emir Makes Cabinet Reshuffle

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. QNA
Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. QNA
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Qatar's Emir Makes Cabinet Reshuffle

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. QNA
Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. QNA

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Tuesday appointed the CEO of the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), Mansour Ibrahim al-Mahmoud, as the country's next minister of health.

The Emir appointed Mohammed Saif Saeed al Suwaidi as QIA's next CEO.

As part of Tuesday's cabinet shuffle, Qatar's Emir also appointed Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al Thani as the country's new minister of commerce and industry.
Sheikh Faisal is QIA's chief of Asia-Pacific and Africa investments and the chairman of Qatari telecoms group Ooredoo. It is unclear if he will remain in those roles.
The Emir appointed Lolwah bint Rashid Al-Khater as the new education minister. She served previously as minister of state for international cooperation and led Qatar's global humanitarian efforts, especially in Gaza and Lebanon.