The diplomatic relations between the Greek and Saudi Arabia began in 1926. Greece now has embassies in Riyadh and Saudi Arabia has embassies in Athens as well. Despite the lack of common geographical borders between Saudi Arabia and Greece, the growing closeness between the two sides has been unprecedented in the history of the two countries.
In the political dimension, apart from the memorandum of political consultations and parliamentary friendship groups, bilateral trips and meetings between the two countries have been practically expanding.
The development of regional and international cooperation and the intensification of consultations and coordination around common interests is another important dimension of the development of cooperation between them. For Riyadh, Greece, as a member of the European Union, could be crucial to getting closer to Brussels.
Athens is exposed to more aggressive and ambitious Turkish policy, and some of Ankara's actions are direct threats against Greece. In this regard, increasing friction in Athens-Ankara relations has brought Greece closer to Saudi Arabia in the anti-Turkish camp.
According to Riyadh, Ankara is also a threat to the region. Turkey's support for the Muslim Brotherhood and its geopolitical and military intervention in Libya is seen as a clear example of Turkey's expansionist stance.
Although, Turkey recently announced that it has resumed diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia. But Riyadh continues to seek strong ties with Turkey's rivals.
Participation against Turkish influence in the Mediterranean under the name of "Neo-Ottoman" is another dimension of cooperation. Earlier, the Saudi Foreign Minister traveled to Athens to attend a meeting of foreign ministers of the Middle East and the Mediterranean (Saudi Arabia, Greece, Egypt, Cyprus, Bahrain, France, and the United Arab Emirates).
There is also the "7 + 3" alliance (seven Mediterranean countries plus the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain) against Ankara's efforts. Greece is trying to use Saudi Arabia as a sponsor of the East-Mead pipeline project (supported by the European Union and the United States). In recent years, Saudi Arabia has also strengthened its relations with Cyprus, recognizing the Cypriot government as the island's credible international authority, and refusing to recognize the Turkish Republic (Ankara-backed Northern Cyprus).
In this regard, Riyadh sent its first ambassador to the Cypriot capital, declaring its support for the "legitimacy and sovereignty" of Cyprus. This issue and Saudi Arabia's full support for Cyprus in the face of Turkey have helped to develop Greek-Saudi relations. In the economic field, the main areas of cooperation between Greece and Saudi Arabia are Greece's oil products, construction, and food products.
The prospect of further strengthening trade, investment, and economic relations, the Joint Committee on Economic and Economic Cooperation, concluding bilateral agreements in the fields of tourism, investment, and energy cooperation can be a good opportunity to strengthen relations. Having three main ports between the three continents, Greece can serve as a gateway for Saudi goods to the European Union. Also, although economic ties between the two countries remain weak, Greece hopes to gain widespread Saudi economic support and investment.
Strengthening military and security relations is another cause of expanding relations between Athens and Riyadh. Greece has previously announced that it will deploy Patriot systems in support of the Saudis in the field of energy.
Also, recently, despite Erdogan's protests; and the anger of Turkey, Saudi fighters left for Greece to participate in a joint exercise. The two sides seek to strengthen cooperation, exchange experience and increase combat capability, and expand military and security cooperation.
Farzad Ramezani Bonesh
Senior Researcher and Analyst of International Affairs
