Deputy Speaker of the Athens Parliament: Strengthening the strategic partnership with Greece
In a move reflecting the deepening diplomatic ties between Riyadh and Athens, His Excellency Dr. Mishaal bin Fahm Al-Sulami, Vice President of the Shura Council, held an important meeting with Ioannis Plakiotakis, First Vice President of the Hellenic Parliament, at the Parliament building in Athens, the Greek capital. These discussions took place within the framework of an official visit aimed at activating parliamentary diplomacy and strengthening cooperation between the two friendly countries.
A strategic partnership that transcends traditional boundaries
During the meeting, the Greek side commended the pivotal role played by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on both the regional and international stages. The Vice-President of the Hellenic Parliament affirmed that the Kingdom is not merely an ally, but a leading nation with significant political and economic influence, praising the qualitative developments and developmental leaps Saudi Arabia is witnessing under Vision 2030, which have made it a model to be emulated in the region.
For his part, Dr. Meshal Al-Sulami emphasized that Saudi-Greek relations have moved from a stage of traditional cooperation to one of comprehensive strategic partnership. He explained that this relationship is based on a historical legacy spanning a century, as the two countries celebrate a century of friendship and constructive cooperation, reflecting the depth of the ties that bind the two peoples and their leaderships.
Strategic Partnership Council: A Qualitative Leap
The meeting addressed the paramount importance of the Saudi-Greek Strategic Partnership Council, co-chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and His Excellency Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Prime Minister of Greece. This council serves as a cornerstone for framing bilateral cooperation in vital sectors including energy, investment, defense, and culture. Al-Salmi noted the success of the council's inaugural meeting, held in the historic city of Al-Ula, which laid out a roadmap for the future of relations between the two countries.
Activating parliamentary diplomacy
Both sides agreed on the need to intensify joint parliamentary efforts to support government policies, emphasizing that the Senate and the Hellenic Parliament attach paramount importance to activating parliamentary friendship committees and exchanging visits and legislative expertise. This stems from a belief that parliamentary diplomacy is a fundamental pillar for strengthening mutual understanding and coordinating positions in international forums on issues of common interest.
High-level attendance
The talks were attended by the Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to Greece, Mr. Ali Al-Yousef, along with a high-level delegation of Shura Council members including: Dr. Ibrahim Al-Qannas (Chairman of the Saudi-Hellenic Parliamentary Friendship Committee), Mr. Ahmed Al-Kridis (Member of the Energy and Industry Committee), Dr. Mutaib Al-Mutairi (Vice Chairman of the Security and Military Committee), and Dr. Hind Al-Khamash (Member of the Education and Scientific Research Committee). The diverse expertise of the delegation reflected the Kingdom's desire to broaden the scope of the discussions to encompass various vital sectors.
