The Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias Visits Saudi Arabia

The Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias Visits Saudi Arabia

April 2, 2026

The Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendiastravelled yesterday, Wednesday 1 April 2026, to Riyadh, where he met with the Defence Minister of Saudi Arabia, Prince Khalid bin Salman.

The two Ministers talked about the situation in the wider region, the security challenges, as well as the strategic defence cooperation between Greece and Saudi Arabia. During the meeting, Prince Khalid bin Salman expressed his cordial thanks towards the Greek Government for the presence of the Hellenic Force in Saudi Arabia (ELDYSA).

Later, the Minister of National Defence visited the encampment facilities of ELDYSA in the Yanbu area, where he was briefed in detail by its Commander, concerning its mission.

In his address to the members serving in the Hellenic Force in Saudi Arabia, Mr Dendias stressed:

"Good evening! I am really glad to be here tonight. I have a speech before me, but please allow me to disregard it. First of all, I wish to tell you that, a little while ago, in Riyadh, I met with the Defence Minister, who as you know is the brother of the Crown Prince. He spoke very cordially regarding our presence here, your presence here, because you managed - as you heard a while ago and as the Saudi Officers told me, when they welcomed me at the airport - to leave an excellent impression.

Furthermore, you achieved an exquisite result a few days ago. I publicly expressed the country's gratification for your achievement and publicly congratulated you for it. The Homeland acquires experience from your presence here, apart from the significance for our foreign policy, our defence policy, our international relations. And as you can see, our experience is necessary.

The world is changing. Unfortunately, our hope that we would live in peace on this planet, is not being fulfilled. The exact opposite is happening, the Law is retreating and might prevails. As you know, we are a small country which faces an extant and expressed threat. There is no other country on the planet against which there is an expressed active threat of war.

Consequently, your experience is irreplaceable. Your experience in the field, your experience under real conditions.

My ability to express the country's gratification towards you, for what you achieved a few days ago, stipulates a Commendation. Therefore, the Council of the Chiefs of General Staffs will make a recommendation and I will sign the pertinent Decision with which you will be awarded a Commendation for your achievement.

Moreover, I would personally like to tell you that I am proud of you, proud of our presence, proud of our raised flag, proud of our Homeland's capabilities.

Aside from all that, I don't think that we will meet again before Easter, although I might be in the area next week, I would like to wish each and every one of you, Happy Easter, all the best and may you soon be back to your families. Of course, I know that you are here by choice, nevertheless, during the Holy Days, I imagine that everyone longs for their home and family.

Be strong, be safe and remember that the Homeland is proud of you. Thank you very much.

Please also allow me, since you are not that many, to salute you one by one. I would like to wish "many happy returns" and "Happy Easter" up close and not through the microphone".