Regional developments, bilateral relations top Erdoğan's agenda for Saudi Arabia
With efforts to further enhance bilateral relations and discuss regional developments, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia on Dec 29-30 and meet with Saudi King Salman. According to a statement made by a Saudi official to Al-Hayat newspaper, the visit will take place at a highly sensitive and critical time due to the recent regional developments, especially in light of the events happening in Syria, Iraq and Yemen. The Saudi official further indicated that the two leaders will address the issues persisting accross the region and will discuss potential bilateral cooperation to overcome the issues.
Since the death of King Abdullah on Jan. 23 of last year, Turkey and Saudi Arabia have continued to maintain strong relations with the new king. In this regard, Erdoğan visited Saudi Arabia in early March in what was described by political analysts as an attempt to mend relations with both countries' leaders having shown their willingness to put political disagreements aside and foster better bilateral relations. Since Erdoğan's last visit, the ongoing threat and terror attacks by DAESH have continued throughout the region, and with this item on the agenda the two leaders will address ways to stand against terrorist organizations. The latest developments in Syria, Palestine, Libya, Egypt and Yemen are also on the agenda, with Egyptian officials indicating their willingness to restore relations with the Turkish government. Salman had previously said that Turkey and Saudi Arabia need to work together to ensure unity and cooperation in the Muslim world, and he is expected to hold talks with Erdoğan to restore relations with Egypt, and Erdoğan will urge the Egyptian government to fulfill his conditions. While the state-run Saudi Press Agency (SPA) indicated in early Dec that a 34-country Sunni military coalition to combat terrorism has been formed under Saudi Arabia's leadership, Turkey's Foreign Ministry dismissed the report and underlined that it would not be a military coalition. With the Foreign Ministry having said that the details of the coalition will soon be announced, Erdoğan is also expected to discuss the details with Salman.
Since the death of King Abdullah on Jan. 23 of last year, Turkey and Saudi Arabia have continued to maintain strong relations with the new king. In this regard, Erdoğan visited Saudi Arabia in early March in what was described by political analysts as an attempt to mend relations with both countries' leaders having shown their willingness to put political disagreements aside and foster better bilateral relations. Since Erdoğan's last visit, the ongoing threat and terror attacks by DAESH have continued throughout the region, and with this item on the agenda the two leaders will address ways to stand against terrorist organizations. The latest developments in Syria, Palestine, Libya, Egypt and Yemen are also on the agenda, with Egyptian officials indicating their willingness to restore relations with the Turkish government. Salman had previously said that Turkey and Saudi Arabia need to work together to ensure unity and cooperation in the Muslim world, and he is expected to hold talks with Erdoğan to restore relations with Egypt, and Erdoğan will urge the Egyptian government to fulfill his conditions. While the state-run Saudi Press Agency (SPA) indicated in early Dec that a 34-country Sunni military coalition to combat terrorism has been formed under Saudi Arabia's leadership, Turkey's Foreign Ministry dismissed the report and underlined that it would not be a military coalition. With the Foreign Ministry having said that the details of the coalition will soon be announced, Erdoğan is also expected to discuss the details with Salman.
Last Update: December 27, 2015 19:09