Greece has changed the extension of its military mission in Saudi Arabia from an annual to a monthly basis, reflecting what officials describe as the rapidly changing geopolitical situation in the region.

The Greek Armed Forces’ Patriot air defense battery has been deployed in Yanbu, a Red Sea port city in western Saudi Arabia, since 2021 under a bilateral defense agreement.

According to information from the Defense Ministry, discussions over changing the terms of the mission’s extension began months ago amid continuing shifts in the regional security environment.

The proposal for a monthly review was reportedly put forward in March by Defense Minister Nikos Dendias, in coordination with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the Foreign Ministry. Athens subsequently conveyed the proposal to Saudi authorities, while the Saudi Embassy in Athens was also informed, according to the same sources.

The Greek Patriot battery helps protect critical infrastructure in Yanbu, including facilities linked to the kingdom’s East-West oil pipeline. The pipeline carries about 60% of Saudi Arabia’s oil from the Persian Gulf to international markets, while the area also has major refineries.

The change comes shortly after Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a defense cooperation agreement that includes a mutual-assistance clause in the event that one of the parties comes under attack.

The agreement has raised concerns in Athens about the implications of Saudi Arabia’s closer defense ties with Turkey and Pakistan for Greece’s broader strategic relationship with Riyadh.

Greece has sought to deepen ties with Saudi Arabia in areas including defense, energy and infrastructure, while promoting the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, or IMEC, as a strategic route linking India with Europe through the Middle East.

Source: Ekathimerini.com