Saudi Crown Prince visits Turkey as part of efforts to normalize ties

Saudi Crown Prince visits Turkey as part of efforts to normalize ties
June 22, 2022, 3:49 pm

FILE - In this photo made available by the Turkish Presidency, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, left, and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman speak after their meeting in Jiddah, Saudi Arabia, April 29, 2022. Saudi Crown Prince is scheduled to arrive in Ankara on Wednesday, June 22, 2022 making his first visit to Turkey as the two regional heavyweights press ahead with efforts to repair ties following the slaying of Saudi columnist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul. (Turkish Presidency via AP, File)

The Anews reported, citing Reuters, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman visits Türkiye for the first time in years on Wednesday for talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan aimed at fully normalising ties that were ruptured after the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

In April, Erdoğan went to Saudi Arabia after a months-long drive to mend relations between the regional powers. He held one-on-one talks with Prince Mohammed while there, raising the possibility of Saudi investments.

Erdoğan said last week he and Prince Mohammed, Riyadh's de facto leader, would discuss "to what much higher level" they can take ties during talks in Ankara.

A senior Turkish official told Reuters on condition of anonymity that the visit is expected to bring "a full normalisation and a restoration of the pre-crisis period", adding that "a new era will begin."

CaptiSaudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman attends a session of the Shura Council in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, November 20, 2019. Bandar Algaloud/Courtesy of Saudi Royal Court/Handout via REUTERS/File Photoon

The person added, agreements on energy, economy and security would be signed during Prince Mohammed's visit, while a plan was also in the works for Saudi funds to enter capital markets in Türkiye.

Prince Mohammed is on his first tour outside the Gulf region in over three years including a visit to Jordan.

Ties between Ankara and Riyadh cratered after a Saudi hit squad killed and dismembered Khashoggi in 2018 at the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul.

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The Turkish official said Saudi Arabia may be interested in companies within the Turkish Wealth Fund or elsewhere, or in making investments similar to those by the United Arab Emirates in recent months.

The person added, the leaders will also discuss the possible sale of Turkish armed drones to Riyadh.

Source: anews

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