Regional developments, investment prospects and the strengthening of bilateral cooperation in a number of areas were the focus of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis' talks with the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

The two leaders attended the first meeting of the High Council for Strategic Cooperation between Greece and Saudi Arabia, held in Al-Ula.

The Prime Minister stressed that this is the first time that Greece has established a High Council for Strategic Cooperation with a Middle Eastern country. "This shows how much value cooperation with Saudi Arabia has for us at this critical juncture for the world and the wider region. 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 reshaping and in this context the role of the Arab world and Saudi Arabia is critical. The security of Europe and the Middle East are interdependent. In this landscape, our strategic cooperation becomes even more important," the Prime Minister underlined at the opening of the APSC meeting.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis stressed that the APSA sends a clear message that Greece and Saudi Arabia are strengthening their bilateral cooperation at the highest possible level in a wide range of areas, including defence, investment, trade, energy, tourism, culture and sports.

"This cooperation is of heightened importance at the current juncture our region is experiencing due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. There is a risk of further destabilisation of the region, as the war in Gaza has added to a series of crises whose consequences we are being called upon to deal with, such as the war in Ukraine. In this context, it is all the more important that Greece and Saudi Arabia share the same vision for security and peace in the region," the Prime Minister said.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis particularly focused on the prospects for cooperation in energy, as well as trade and investment in sectors such as shipping, agro-food products and the construction sector.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Mohammed bin Salman then signed the minutes of the meeting, which include the 46 initiatives jointly agreed by the Committees of the High Council for Strategic Cooperation and approved its governance structure.

The APSC is composed of 7 Committees (Political, Military, Investment, Energy, Energy, Tourism, Culture and Sports), headed by the relevant Ministers of the two countries.

THE MEETING BETWEEN THE TWO LEADERS

During the private meeting between the Prime Minister and the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, the strategic nature of the relations between Greece and Saudi Arabia and the institutionalisation of bilateral cooperation at the highest level were discussed during the first landmark meeting of the Supreme Council for Strategic Cooperation between the two countries.

The Prime Minister placed particular emphasis on the initiatives undertaken by Greece, both in the field of renewable energy sources and in the field of energy and digital connectivity, in order to become a hub in Southeastern Europe.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis underlined that Greece can be the gateway of Asia and the Middle East to Europe and stressed that Saudi Arabia's key role in the IMEC economic corridor and our country's position present even more opportunities for cooperation.

International and regional developments were also discussed. The Prime Minister highlighted Saudi Arabia's important role in the region as a factor of stability.

REGIONAL DEVELOPMENTS

The two leaders exchanged views on the latest developments in Gaza and Syria.

The Prime Minister reiterated the need to achieve an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, release the hostages and restart the political process leading to a two-state solution.

On Syria, Kyriakos Mitsotakis reiterated Greece's commitment to the territorial integrity of Syria and reiterated that the next day must come through an inclusive process that respects the rights of all religious and ethnic communities.

They also discussed the situation in the Red Sea. The Prime Minister underlined the importance of maritime security and freedom of navigation for our country.