Riyadh: Saudi Arabia and Turkiye have committed to boosting bilateral cooperation and aligning their positions on key regional and international issues, as stated in a joint declaration following Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's recent visit to Saudi Arabia. The visit, which took place over two days, concluded with an agreement on a range of collaborative efforts aimed at strengthening ties between the two nations.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the joint statement praised the robust economic relationship between Saudi Arabia and Turkiye, highlighting the coordination within the Saudi-Turkish Coordination Council as a significant aspect of their partnership. Both countries emphasized the importance of finalizing negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Turkiye.
The two countries agreed to collaborate more closely in several sectors, including oil, petroleum, and petrochemicals, as well as in electricity and renewable energy. They expressed a shared commitment to expedite feasibility studies for electrical interconnection. Discussions also covered clean hydrogen cooperation, focusing on technology development for its transport and storage, and the exchange of expertise to enhance energy supply chains.
In the mineral resources sector, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye plan to cooperate on exploration, extraction, and processing, while promoting the circular carbon economy to manage emissions and meet climate goals. Defense cooperation was another focal area, with both sides agreeing to activate existing agreements and develop defense relations further.
On the international stage, both leaders expressed concerns about regional conflicts and humanitarian issues, particularly in the Gaza Strip. They called for intensified relief efforts, the opening of border crossings for aid, and urged the international community to press Israel for compliance with international humanitarian laws.
The joint statement reaffirmed support for a ceasefire and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in line with international resolutions and the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative. Both countries also endorsed the role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and condemned Israeli actions against its facilities in Jerusalem.
President Erdogan extended an invitation to King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman for an official visit to Turkiye, signaling continued diplomatic engagement between the two nations.