Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his high-level delegation departed the Saudi capital, Riyadh, today, after concluding an important official visit to the Kingdom, which came to strengthen cooperation and launch a new phase of bilateral relations between the two countries.
At the forefront of those bidding farewell to His Excellency at King Khalid International Airport was His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Riyadh Region, reflecting the high esteem and respect the Kingdom holds for this visit. Also present at the farewell ceremony were His Excellency Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi, Minister of Commerce, who accompanied the Turkish President during his visit; His Excellency Fahd bin Asaad Abu Al-Nasr, Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the Republic of Turkey; His Excellency Mr. Amrullah İşler, Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to the Kingdom; Major General Mansour bin Nasser Al-Otaibi, Acting Director of the Regional Police; and Mr. Fahd Al-Sahil, Undersecretary of Royal Protocol.
General context and historical background of the visit
This visit comes amidst a remarkable positive development in Saudi-Turkish relations in recent years, following a period of strain. It represents the culmination of intensive diplomatic efforts by both sides to rebuild trust and overcome past differences. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Turkey carry significant regional and international weight, being among the leading economies in the G20, and their cooperation serves the stability and prosperity of the entire Middle East region. This visit was preceded by high-level meetings, including the visit of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister, to Ankara, which paved the way for a new chapter based on shared interests and mutual respect.
The importance of the visit and its expected impact
President Erdoğan's visit carries significant strategic and economic dimensions. Economically, both countries aim to increase bilateral trade and expand mutual investments. Turkish companies are keenly interested in the mega-projects launched by the Kingdom under Vision 2030, such as NEOM, the Red Sea Project, and Qiddiya, which open up broad prospects for cooperation in construction, contracting, technology, and renewable energy. Furthermore, the Kingdom is a major tourist and religious destination for Turks, while Turkey attracts a large number of Saudi tourists annually, making the tourism and hospitality sector a key area for future cooperation.
On the political and strategic level, the Saudi-Turkish rapprochement sends a strong message about the importance of dialogue and diplomatic solutions to address regional issues. Coordination between Riyadh and Ankara is expected to contribute to developing shared visions for dealing with regional challenges, such as the situations in Syria and Yemen, combating terrorism, and ensuring the security of waterways. This cooperation not only enhances the two countries' standing on the international stage but also contributes to building a more stable and balanced regional security system.
