Turkish President and Saudi Defense Minister Forge Closer Ties in Ankara Talks

KSA, 3 July, 2024 :  Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman to the Presidential Palace in Ankara on Tuesday. The meeting focused on enhancing bilateral relations between Turkey and Saudi Arabia, addressing regional and international developments, and collaborating on mutual challenges.

During the meeting, Prince Khalid conveyed greetings from Saudi leaders, including Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, to President Erdogan. In return, Erdogan extended his regards to King Salman and the Crown Prince.

Accompanying Prince Khalid were senior officials including Director General Hisham bin Abdulaziz bin Saif and Turkish Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler. Discussions also included President of the Turkish Defense Industry Agency Prof. Haluk Gorgun and other dignitaries.

Earlier in the day, Minister Güler hosted Prince Khalid at the Turkish Ministry of Defense headquarters for official ceremonies and bilateral discussions aimed at bolstering defense cooperation between the two nations.

Prince Khalid's visit follows directives from Saudi leadership, marking a significant step in strengthening ties and exploring new avenues of cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Turkey. The discussions are part of ongoing efforts to deepen mutual understanding and collaboration on strategic issues.

Recent progress in bilateral relations includes agreements between Saudi and Turkish companies in defense industries, particularly in localizing drone manufacturing within Saudi Arabia. These initiatives build on previous cooperation agreements signed during President Erdogan's visit to Saudi Arabia last year.

The signing ceremony in Riyadh involved senior officials from both countries, with Turkish companies such as Baykar, ASELSAN, and Roketsan playing key roles in technology transfer and local production initiatives with Saudi partners.

These efforts underscore the commitment of both nations to expanding cooperation across defense sectors, contributing to regional stability and mutual prosperity.

Source : www.zawya.com