Turkey Aims to Strengthen Ties with Saudi Arabia, Focuses on Renewable Energy, Defense, and Regional Stability

RIYADH, Feb. 4: Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan met Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh on Tuesday, emphasizing Turkey’s determination to elevate bilateral relations in key sectors, including renewable energy and defense.

Erdogan’s office said the Turkish president assured the crown prince that Turkey would continue supporting stability in Syria and collaborate with Saudi Arabia on reconstruction efforts. The visit concluded on Wednesday, with Erdogan and his delegation departing King Khalid International Airport, where they were seen off by the deputy governor of the Riyadh region, Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz.

A joint Saudi-Turkish statement following the visit praised the Syrian government’s efforts to maintain territorial integrity and promote civil peace. It also condemned Israeli violations in Syrian territory and called for Israel’s immediate withdrawal from all occupied areas.

The statement highlighted the need to restore peace and stability in Sudan, the Palestinian territories, and Yemen. Both countries condemned Israeli aggression in Gaza, calling for a ceasefire and an end to occupation. Turkey also commended Saudi Arabia’s efforts to resolve the Yemeni crisis and the inclusive dialogue in Riyadh involving southern factions.

Saudi Arabia and Turkey stressed the importance of countering internal forces in Yemen that threaten security and stability and emphasized launching a Sudanese-led political process under civilian governance.

The meeting at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh included talks on regional cooperation and mutual strategic interests, marking a significant step in strengthening ties between the two nations.