Establishing Regional Peace and Building a Shared Future

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Diplomatic relations between Turkey and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia were established on May 7, 1926, through the appointment of Süleyman Şevket Bey as Turkey's representative to the Kingdom of Hejaz and Najd and its dependencies, by a decree signed by Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the first president of the Turkish Republic. Accordingly, we celebrate this year the centenary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries.

Building on their deep historical and popular ties, Turkey and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia continue to elevate and strengthen their relations day by day, in addition to their shared sensitivities and mutual interests regarding regional and international developments. In light of the serious challenges facing our region today, both countries are making diligent efforts, at the bilateral level and in regional and international forums, to establish peace, security, and stability, based on the concept of responsibility and regional ownership.

In this context, we are pleased to see the increasing importance of the constructive and responsible approach adopted by Turkey and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in their joint efforts to enhance peace, stability, and prosperity in the region, and the growing appreciation and understanding this approach receives at both regional and international levels, as well as its significance in strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries. The political weight, economic capacity, and diplomatic experience that both countries possess at the regional and international levels are of great importance in ensuring that the steps taken within the framework of our common goals contribute positively to the future of the region.

Turkey and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia pursue converging policies and cooperate in addressing many regional and international issues, including the implementation of the two-state solution in Palestine, the reconstruction of Syria, maintaining the unity of Yemen and the integrity of its territory and political unity, ensuring the security and safety of navigation in the Red Sea, and mediating between the conflicting parties in Sudan. In this context, we share with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia a strong common ground on fundamental principles, including prioritizing dialogue and diplomacy with the aim of establishing peace and security in the region.

In addition to enhancing Turkish-Saudi coordination in international forums, our bilateral relations are also witnessing continuous deepening. On February 3 of this year, His Excellency the President of the Republic of Turkey, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, visited the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and held a fruitful meeting with His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. During his working visit to the Kingdom on August 7, President Erdoğan also signed a trilateral joint defense agreement between Turkey, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan in Mecca. On the other hand, we expect, in response to President Erdoğan's invitation, that His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, will make an official visit to Turkey.

The third meeting of the Saudi-Turkish Coordination Council was held in May in Ankara, co-chaired by the foreign ministers of both countries, while preparations continue for the fourth meeting to be held in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia next year.

The economic relations between our two countries are increasing day by day, with trade and bilateral investments expanding across a wide range of sectors. In this context, the volume of trade between Turkey and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia last year reached 8.6 billion dollars, marking the highest level ever. Our goal is to first reach a volume of bilateral trade of 10 billion dollars and then exceed 15 billion dollars.

As part of efforts to enhance the momentum of our bilateral trade relations, the topic of taking steps towards establishing railway links between Turkey, Syria, Jordan, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was raised during President Erdoğan's visit to Riyadh on February 3. In this context, an agreement was reached to conduct a feasibility study for the mentioned railway project and to conclude a comprehensive transport agreement before the end of this year. In addition to the railway project, land transport between Turkey and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has resumed with the return of stability in Syria. Our goal is to restore land transport between the two countries to the levels it was at before the outbreak of the crisis in Syria, which will contribute to increasing the volume of bilateral trade.

Furthermore, in light of the increasing security threats in the region, our cooperation in the military and defense industries is gaining growing importance. There is no doubt that the Mecca Agreement for joint defense will also form a basis for strengthening the existing cooperation between the two countries in these areas.

On this occasion, on my own behalf and on behalf of the Turkish community in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and to the dear Saudi people, on the occasion of the 96th National Day of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, wishing everyone continued health, happiness, and prosperity.