Erdogan meets with head of Saudi Shura Council behind closed doors

The Turkish Parliament Speaker discusses with the head of the Saudi Shura Council the development of ties between Turkey and Saudi Arabia.

By Al Mayadeen English,

In a move that reflects a remarkable improvement in relations between Turkey and Saudi Arabia, the Turkish Presidency announced on Monday that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan received in Ankara the Saudi Shura Council Speaker Abdullah Mohammed Ibrahim Al-Sheikh.

According to the Anadolu Agency, “The Turkish presidency did not share any further information about the closed-door meeting between Erdogan and Al-Sheikh.”

Earlier, “Turkish Parliament Speaker Mustafa Sentop and Al-Sheikh discussed the development of ties between the parliaments of Türkiye and Saudi Arabia, bilateral relations, and regional issues,” reported the Turkish news agency.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan received Saudi Shura Council Speaker Abdullah Mohammed Ibrahim Al-Sheikh in capital Ankara https://t.co/57QiBERwlg pic.twitter.com/PtJ3nOxk2p

— ANADOLU AGENCY (@anadoluagency) December 26, 2022

Sentop told reporters after the meeting that the close cooperation between Turkey and Saudi Arabia across the Middle East and Northern Africa “is greatly beneficial for our region.”

The Turkish official stressed the importance that Ankara lends to the security and stability of all Gulf states, adding, “We hope a positive atmosphere reigns in the entire region through joint efforts. Therefore, we attach great importance to regional economic integration and the development of infrastructure in the area.”

Sentop also considered that close cooperation between Turkey and Saudi Arabia across “a vast area stretching from Palestine to Yemen, Libya to Syria” was vital for the entire region.

رئيس البرلمان التركي مصطفى شنطوب: التنسيق التركي السعودي يعود بالفائدة على المنطقة https://t.co/0yNoMPka1Y pic.twitter.com/w3OkFqsSae

— ANADOLU AGENCY (AR) (@aa_arabic) December 26, 2022

In a related context, Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan confirmed in early December that Saudi Arabia will place a $5 billion deposit at Turkey’s central bank “within days”.

Al-Jadaan indicated that “there is great improvement in our relationship with Turkey and we aspire for investment opportunities in Turkey and other countries.”

It is noteworthy that last April, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a trip to Saudi Arabia on the first visit since the killing of Saudi journalist, Jamal Khashoggi, who was killed inside the Kingdom’s Istanbul consulate in October 2018.

Erdogan announced then that Ankara and Riyadh will start a “new era” to boost bilateral ties.

Later in June, Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, Mohammad bin Salman, landed in Turkey on an official visit.