Saudi Arabia, Greece Study Supplying Europe With Energy

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the Greek Prime Minister at the Acropolis Museum (AP)
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the Greek Prime Minister at the Acropolis Museum (AP)
TT

Saudi Arabia, Greece Study Supplying Europe With Energy

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the Greek Prime Minister at the Acropolis Museum (AP)
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the Greek Prime Minister at the Acropolis Museum (AP)

Saudi Arabia and Greece began working on strategic cooperation on several issues of joint interest, including electricity generation through renewable energy and exporting electricity produced by renewable energy to Greece and Europe.

The two countries also agreed on cooperation in clean hydrogen, including low-carbon and green hydrogen, and its transfer to Europe.

The two countries issued a joint statement at the end of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's two-day visit to Greece.

The statement highlighted the importance of the memorandum of understanding signed between the two countries in the energy field. It also lauded the formation of a joint technical team in electrical interconnection and exporting electricity to Greece to make the necessary studies and start implementation accordingly as soon as possible.

The two sides agreed to enhance cooperation in the circular carbon economy approach and its technologies such as carbon capture, reuse, transfer and storage, and carbon direct air capture to reduce the effects of climate change.

They also agreed on cooperation in energy efficiency and the transfer of knowledge, experiences, and best practices in innovation and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence in the energy sector and the development of clean technologies to use hydrocarbon resources in various applications in the industrial and construction fields.

Regarding climate change issues, the two sides stressed the importance of adhering to the Framework Convention on Climate Change principles and the Paris Agreement.

They asserted the necessity to develop and implement climate agreements by focusing on emissions without sources.

Greece also praised the Saudi Green Initiative and Middle East Green Initiative, expressing its support for Saudi Arabia's efforts in the climate change field and reducing emissions.

Saudi Arabia welcomed Greece's ambitious green agenda, especially the islands' green economy initiative.

The two countries agreed to boost their cooperation regarding the trade exchange of crude oil, petroleum products, and petrochemicals.

The two sides agreed to enhance multi-dimensional cooperation in defense and security based on the results achieved within the framework of the bilateral comprehensive military cooperation agreement that was signed during this visit.

The agreement provides a comprehensive framework for establishing more cooperation in defense to enhance security and stability in both countries and the entire region.

The statement stressed the importance of enhancing economic cooperation between the two countries by aligning the objectives of Vision 2030 and the Greek National Recovery and Resilience Plan (Greece 2.0).

They also affirmed their keenness to support investment integration opportunities between the two countries in several sectors of common interest.

The two sides praised the signing of the agreement to encourage and protect mutual investment in their belief in the private sector's vital role in achieving the ambitious investment programs.

The two sides renewed their determination to encourage investment partnerships between the private sectors in the two countries, enhance joint work and coordination by providing facilities, and find solutions to any challenges the private sector may face by strengthening investment and trade exchange.

They highlighted the fruitful results of the 5th session of the Saudi-Greek Joint Committee in Athens in May 2022, the Saudi-Greek Business Council, and the results of the Saudi-Greek Investment Forum in May 2022 in Athens.

During the visit, they praised the round table meeting between the Saudi and Greek companies.

The two sides welcomed the signing of several agreements and MoUs between the private sectors, amounting to about SR14 billion in energy, renewable energy, infrastructure, tourism, maritime transport and logistics, communications and information technology, health care, and food.

The two sides welcomed the signing of a data cable project agreement to strengthen the infrastructure for data transmission between Asia and Europe.

Later, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman attended the dinner banquet hosted by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the Acropolis Museum in Athens.

The Crown Prince and the Greek Prime Minister witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two countries for cooperation in the cultural field.

The Crown Prince toured the Acropolis Museum and was briefed on its contents of archeological and historical antiquities and artifacts.



Saudi Defense Minister, Swedish Counterpart Discuss Regional Security

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. SPA
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. SPA
TT

Saudi Defense Minister, Swedish Counterpart Discuss Regional Security

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. SPA
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. SPA

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz received a phone call on Thursday from Swedish Minister of Defense Pål Jonson.

During the call, the two ministers reviewed bilateral defense relations and discussed regional developments and efforts to address them in a way that achieves security and stability in the region and the world.


Saudi Arabia Condemns Any Attempt to Close the Strait of Hormuz or Disrupt Waterways

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's flag fluttering in Riyadh - File photo
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's flag fluttering in Riyadh - File photo
TT

Saudi Arabia Condemns Any Attempt to Close the Strait of Hormuz or Disrupt Waterways

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's flag fluttering in Riyadh - File photo
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's flag fluttering in Riyadh - File photo

On behalf of Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji participated by video conference in a meeting of the foreign ministers of MED9 member states, Arab League member states, and partner countries from the Western Balkans.

The vice minister delivered remarks affirming the Kingdom’s rejection and condemnation of any attempt to close the Strait of Hormuz or disrupt international waterways. He stressed that freedom of navigation is a fundamental principle guaranteed by law and must be respected and preserved.

“The impact of these disruptions has begun to reach global food security by affecting the movement of fertilizers and essential food supplies. This underscores the need to shield food and fertilizers from any pressures or practices that obstruct the flow of supplies under any circumstances,” he said, SPA reported.

Elkhereiji affirmed that the Kingdom will continue to play its role in supporting market stability, securing supplies, and helping keep regional and international flows moving smoothly by strengthening logistical connectivity and supporting cooperation in transport, storage, and supply chain resilience.

“These challenges require collective coordination to protect maritime corridors. What is needed today is a focus on practical steps that help increase availability and improve access to essential supplies, strengthening cooperation among partners and supporting regional and international stability,” he added.


Albudaiwi: GCC Countries Activate Several Alternative Logistics Corridors

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
TT

Albudaiwi: GCC Countries Activate Several Alternative Logistics Corridors

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi affirmed that the GCC countries moved immediately to protect supply chains and ensure their continuity by activating a number of alternative logistics corridors and redirecting shipments from the Arabian Gulf ports to alternative ports on the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea, supported by customs and logistics facilitation that ensures the flow of supplies and meets international demand for energy and fertilizers during the current circumstances.

This came during a speech delivered by Albudaiwi at the meeting dedicated to discussing a new political initiative entitled “Supporting Food Security and Access to Fertilizers”, held today via videoconference, in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Italian Republic Antonio Tajani and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia and current chair of the Mediterranean Group Gordan Grlić Radman.

According to a press release issued by the GCC Secretariat General today, the GCC secretary-general stated that this meeting is being held at a highly critical juncture, in light of the blatant Iranian attacks targeting the GCC countries, and Iran’s continued disruption of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, which has clearly revealed the depth of interconnection between regional security issues and the challenges of global food security, SPA reported.

“Since February 28, 2026, Iran and its proxies in the region have launched approximately 7,000 attacks using ballistic missiles and drones against the GCC countries over 45 consecutive days, targeting civilian facilities, infrastructure and energy facilities, including oil and gas, resulting in loss of life and significant material damage, and directly affecting the stability of global energy markets and supply chains, particularly food commodities and agricultural inputs, foremost among them chemical fertilizers,” he said in his speech.

Albudaiwi further stated that the Iranian aggression against the sovereignty of the GCC countries, the disruption of maritime navigation, and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz constitute blackmail against the entire world and a clear violation of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, as well as a blatant breach of international law and the Charter of the United Nations.

The GCC secretary-general commended the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2817, which condemned these attacks, called for their immediate cessation, and urged refraining from threatening or disrupting maritime navigation in the Arabian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz or adjacent areas, with an unprecedented level of co-sponsorship in the history of the Security Council; nevertheless, Iran has not complied with it to date.

"The damages resulting from the disruption of maritime navigation are not confined to the borders of the GCC states but extend to impact the entire global economy. The world is currently suffering from shortages in the supply of oil, gas, and petrochemical derivatives, including agricultural fertilizers, with urea prices rising by 30% to 40%. This constitutes a direct threat to global food security, where developing nations reliant on energy and food imports will bear the greatest burden of this escalation while already facing inflationary pressures and high sovereign debt obligations," he explained.

The release added that Albudaiwi highlighted the harsh economic measures many countries have been forced to take to mitigate these repercussions, stressing that addressing these challenges requires collective action to develop practical tools, such as supporting price stability and intensifying logistical coordination to ensure the uninterrupted flow of essential goods.

“Today’s meeting serves as a vital opportunity to translate discussions into practical initiatives that enhance connectivity between our countries and support the stability of the region and the world as a space for cooperation and joint development," he stated, underscoring that dialogue and diplomacy remain the optimal means for addressing crises, while emphasizing that Iran must respect the sovereignty of neighboring states and refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of GCC countries.

The GCC secretary-general called for considering all necessary measures to achieve the security and stability of supply chains, ensure the continuity of international maritime navigation, and realize global food security, underlining that these measures include ensuring a permanent cessation of Iranian attacks on the territories, ports and interests of GCC states in the waters of the Arabian Gulf and guaranteeing their non-recurrence.

He also highlighted the importance of taking all necessary measures to protect maritime corridors and ensure the continuity of international navigation in all straits, particularly the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb, as maintaining maritime and regional security is a fundamental pillar of international peace and security.

Finally, he stressed the significance of committing to the provisions of international law and the concerted efforts of the international community to protect energy security, supply chains and the freedom of navigation in maritime passages in accordance with relevant international resolutions and treaties.