In Riyadh on Sunday, November 2, 2026, Saudi Arabia’s Chief of the General Staff, General Fayyad Al‑Ruwaili, conferred the King Abdulaziz Medal (Excellent Class) on Greece’s Chief of the Hellenic National Defence, General Dimitrios Choupis. The ceremony took place after a meeting between the two generals focused on defence collaboration and the development of bilateral cooperation.
The medal ceremony unfolded in a formal setting within the Saudi capital, where the event was attended by a number of senior officers and officials from both countries. The Saudi side was represented by General Al‑Ruwaili and other high‑ranking military personnel, while the Greek delegation included General Choupis and accompanying senior officers.
Purpose of the Award
According to the Saudi Press Agency, the award was given in recognition of General Choupis’s outstanding efforts to strengthen bonds of friendship and enhance bilateral cooperation with Saudi Arabia. The medal was also awarded for contributing to the development of defence cooperation between the two friendly nations. The city of Riyadh served as the backdrop for the ceremony, reflecting the diplomatic ties between Riyadh and Athens.
Background of Saudi‑Greek Defence Relations
Saudi Arabia and Greece have a longstanding relationship characterized by a shared interest in security and defence collaboration. In recent years, the two countries have increased joint exercises, intelligence sharing, and strategic discussions regarding regional security challenges. The meeting between General Al‑Ruwaili and General Choupis served to review the progress in these areas and identify future steps for strengthening cooperation.
The Director of the Saudi General Staff’s office cited the “excellent class” medal as a means to honor individuals who contribute significantly to fostering Saudi‑Greek relations. It is a prestigious award granted by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who is the Supreme Commander of All Military Forces in Saudi Arabia.
King Salman has historically utilized the King Abdulaziz Medal to recognize both Saudi personnel and international allies for efforts that support national defence objectives. The ceremony underscored the value Saudi Arabia places on collaboration with Greece on matters of mutual strategic interest, ranging from maritime security to training and technology sharing.
During the ceremony, General Al‑Ruwaili personally presented the medal to General Choupis, noting the significance of the partnership and urging continued dialogue and cooperation. The Greek Defence Chief accepted the award with gratitude, reflecting his position as an advocate for a deeper relationship with Saudi Arabia’s security forces.
Following the medal presentation, both generals engaged in a brief address, discussing the evolving geopolitical context and the role of partnership in maintaining stability. Their conversation emphasized that shared objectives such as the protection of regional trade routes and the countering of asymmetric threats required a coordinated approach.
The ceremony concluded with a formal handshake between the two generals, symbolizing the mutual respect and shared commitment to strengthen ties in defence and security. As the meeting wrapped up, senior officers from both sides reaffirmed their pursuit of further collaborative initiatives aimed at enhancing operational capability and strategic readiness.
While the event was closely observed by officials from both the Saudi and Greek military communities, it was also covered by the media, underscoring its significance in the broader landscape of international defence cooperation. The issuance of the King Abdulaziz Medal during this gathering demonstrated Saudi Arabia’s continued commitment to recognising and encouraging partnerships that advance both national and regional security interests.
