ANKARA: Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will visit Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, according to diplomatic sources. During his visit, Fidan is expected to highlight the growing strength of political relations between Turkey and Saudi Arabia. He aims to further boost the rapidly expanding trade volume between the two nations.
According to Anadolu Agency, Fidan will emphasize the importance of the Turkish-Saudi Coordination Council as a mechanism for deepening bilateral cooperation and exploring new avenues of collaboration. The minister is also anticipated to stress the significance of increased international engagement with Syria's new administration, acknowledging Saudi Arabia's constructive approach on the matter.
Fidan will underline Turkey's commitment to working with Saudi Arabia to lift sanctions on Syria and advocate for enhanced international pressure on Israel to make the Gaza ceasefire permanent. He will also highlight the necessity of close cooperation between Ankara and Riyadh to advance the vision of a two-state solution in the Middle East.
During the visit, discussions will include the activities of the Turkish-Saudi Coordination Council, established in 2016, with its first meeting held in Ankara in 2017. The second meeting is expected to take place in Riyadh, led by the foreign ministers. This council serves as an opportunity to evaluate all aspects of bilateral cooperation.
Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud visited Turkey on July 14, 2024. Fidan also visited Riyadh earlier this month for a multilateral Syria meeting, where he met with his Saudi counterpart.
The multidimensional relations between Turkey and Saudi Arabia continue to strengthen. Bilateral trade reached approximately $8 billion in 2024, with half of that amount coming from Turkish exports. Turkish contracting firms have undertaken more than 400 projects in Saudi Arabia, and Turkey's rapidly developing defense industry is garnering Saudi interest. Both countries maintain close dialogue on regional issues, particularly regarding Palestine and Syria, and continue their work as member countries of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation-Arab League Gaza Contact Group.