Erdoğan visits Saudi Arabia to further strengthen ties
| IHA photo


President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan paid a visit to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, where he held meetings with Saudi officials to further strengthen bilateral relations. Prior to his flight, President Erdoğan answered journalists' questions at Atatürk Airport and underlined the significance of collaboration with the Saudi administration."In this period when efforts intensify for a political resolution in Syria, we are continuing to work collectively and in collaboration with Saudi Arabia," Erdoğan said. "I would like to underscore this one more time: Our goal is to establish a just, sustainable and permanent peace in all crisis regions, foremost in Syria," he added.Erdoğan also stressed that it is obvious what kinds of suggestions, offers and arguments Turkey puts forth in an effort to reach a resolution. "It is clear that steps taken without consideration of the dynamics, sociology and history of the region will only bring atrocity and tears," he contended.Since the death of King Abdullah on Jan. 23, 2014, 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.