Saudi Arabia and Greece have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations following a telephone conversation between His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and His Excellency Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic, on November 10, 2026. According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the two leaders discussed relations between their countries and explored ways to strengthen and develop cooperation across various fields. The conversation followed the Greek Prime Minister’s official visit to Saudi Arabia in October, during which both sides reviewed their strategic partnership and identified areas for further collaboration. During his official visit to Saudi Arabia on October 25, 2026, His Excellency Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis met His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh. The meeting reaffirmed the strategic relationship between the two countries, with particular attention given to connectivity, energy and defence. The discussions also covered regional developments, including the situation in Iran and the wider Middle East. Both sides emphasised the importance of protecting international maritime routes and maintaining the uninterrupted movement of global trade.
Greece, with its established maritime sector and strategic position in southeastern Europe, remains an important partner for Saudi Arabia in discussions concerning international shipping and connectivity. The Greek Prime Minister also reiterated his country’s solidarity with Saudi Arabia amid regional security challenges. Greece has maintained a Patriot air defence battery in the Kingdom since 2021, contributing to the protection of critical infrastructure. During the October meeting, His Excellency Mr Mitsotakis confirmed that Greece would respond positively to the Kingdom’s request to keep the Patriot battery in Saudi Arabia during the current regional circumstances. The two leaders also reviewed cooperation through the Strategic Partnership Council and discussed the progress achieved since its first meeting in January 2025.
Economic cooperation remains a central component of the Saudi-Greek relationship. According to the joint statement issued following the October 25 visit, bilateral trade reached approximately $1.7 billion in 2025, reflecting growth since 2021. Both governments welcomed the progress made through the council’s Investment and Trade Committee and highlighted opportunities to expand commercial relations.Priority areas include infrastructure, construction, energy, digital connectivity, logistics and technology. The two sides also encouraged businesses to explore investment opportunities in each other’s markets.
Saudi Arabia welcomed Greek companies interested in establishing regional operations in the Kingdom and participating in major development projects, including those associated with Expo 2030 Riyadh and the FIFA World Cup 2034. Greece, meanwhile, highlighted its position as a gateway to European and southeastern European markets and encouraged Saudi investors to consider opportunities in infrastructure, transportation, energy and advanced technologies. The Saudi-Greek Business Council has also provided a platform for companies to strengthen commercial contacts and explore potential partnerships.
Energy cooperation has emerged as another important area of bilateral engagement. The two governments have expressed interest in strengthening cooperation in traditional and renewable energy, petrochemicals, energy efficiency and clean hydrogen. The proposed Saudi-Greek electricity interconnection project is particularly significant. The initiative aims to connect the electricity networks of the two countries, facilitating electricity exchange and potentially strengthening connections between Saudi Arabia and European energy markets through Greece. Both sides have also emphasised cooperation in clean hydrogen and the possibility of developing export opportunities from Saudi Arabia to Greece and other European markets. Digital connectivity is advancing through the East to Med Data Corridor project, which seeks to connect Asia and Europe through Saudi Arabia and Greece.
Security cooperation has continued to develop through the Strategic Partnership Council’s Defence and Security Committee. On November 5, 2026, Saudi Arabia and Greece held the fourth conference of the committee’s working group in Riyadh. According to the Greek Ministry of National Defence, the meeting resulted in the signing of a military cooperation programme for 2027 and a memorandum of understanding on cybersecurity.
The discussions also covered progress across several existing cooperation initiatives, including military education, intelligence, healthcare and citizen protection. A further development came with the signing of a cybersecurity cooperation memorandum between the Saudi National Cybersecurity Authority and its Greek counterpart. The agreement provides for the exchange of expertise and best practices to address cybersecurity challenges and protect the countries’ digital infrastructure and national interests.
The November 10 telephone conversation between His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman and His Excellency Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis reinforces the importance of continued high-level dialogue in Saudi-Greek relations. As Saudi Arabia and Greece approach the next phase of their relationship, their priorities include expanding trade, encouraging investment, advancing energy and digital connectivity, and strengthening cooperation on security. The centenary of diplomatic relations offers both countries an opportunity to build on their established partnership and develop new areas of collaboration.
