Middle East News: Erdogan hopes for new era in ties with Saudi – Gulf Digital News

Middle East News: Erdogan hopes for new era in ties with Saudi – Gulf Digital News

RIYADH: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Saudi Arabia yesterday in the first high-level visit in years which he hopes will herald a new era of relations after intense efforts to repair strained ties.

Erdogan met King Salman in an official ceremony in the Al Salam palace in the Red Sea city of Jeddah, the Turkish presidency said in a statement.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman attended the ceremony before having a one-on-one meeting with Erdogan, Ankara’s communication office said.

Erdogan’s visit, which his office said was at the invitation of the Saudi King, marks the culmination of a months-long drive to mend ties.

Speaking to reporters before departing for Jeddah, Erdogan said yesterday’s visit was “the manifestation of our common will” to improve ties and strengthen political, military and cultural relations.

He added it would be mutually beneficial to boost co-operation in areas including health, energy, food security, defence industry, and finance.

“With common efforts, I believe we will carry our ties even beyond where they were in the past,” he said.

Erdogan cited the end of the holy month of Ramadan as a fitting time for the visit, saying it was the month of “replenishing and strengthening brotherly ties.”

Ankara hopes the visit will fully