Greece delivers Patriot battery to Saudi Arabia

Move will 'contribute to world peace, security,' says Greece's National Defense General Staff

A team of the Greek Armed Forces is on its way to Saudi Arabia to deliver a battery of Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems, a National Defense General Staff statement said on Tuesday.

A ceremony was held in the capital Athens which saw the attendance of Defense Minister Nikos Panayotopoulos and Chief of Staff Konstantinos Floros.

Speaking at the ceremony, Floros described the move as a "historic moment" and said that it would "contribute to world peace and security".

He added that the cooperation between the two nations will contribute to "ensuring stability and security in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East."

In April, Greece and Saudi Arabia signed an agreement to lend a Patriot battery to the Arab country during Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias and Panayotopoulos' visit to Riyadh.