A joint statement was issued at the conclusion of the official visit of the President of the Republic of Turkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Following is the text of the statement:
Based on the fraternal bonds, distinguished relations, and deep-rooted historical ties that unite the leaderships of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Turkiye, as well as their two brotherly peoples, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of the Republic of Turkiye paid an official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on July 17, 2023.
His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, held a meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah. During the meeting, they conducted official talks, reviewing the historical relations between the two brotherly countries and discussing ways to enhance them in all aspects. They also exchanged views on the current regional and international situation as a whole.
At the beginning of the meeting, HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister congratulated President Erdogan on his recent election victory in Turkiye. The Turkish delegation expressed appreciation for the efforts made by the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and HRH the Crown Prince in serving the Two Holy Mosques, pilgrims, Umrah performers, and visitors. They commended the high level of coordination between the two countries, which has contributed to the comfort of pilgrims, Umrah performers, and visitors from Turkiye. Furthermore, the Turkish side expressed gratitude for the support extended by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia following the catastrophic earthquake that occurred on February 6, 2023.
Both parties praised the positive outcomes of HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister’s visit to the Republic of Turkiye on June 22, 2022, as well as the President of the Republic of Turkiye’s visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on April 29, 2022. These visits have resulted in expanded cooperation between the two nations across various fields and further strengthened their close relations. Emphasising the importance of finalising the procedures for the activation of the Saudi-Turkish Coordination Council, both sides affirmed the need to work together to develop joint projects and initiatives within the framework of the Council.
In the realms of economy, trade, and investment, the two sides discussed the significant challenges facing the global economy and the role of Saudi Arabia and Turkiye in addressing them.
They emphasised the importance of accelerating cooperation in the commercial and investment sectors, underscoring their commitment to supporting opportunities for economic integration in various targeted sectors. These sectors include infrastructure, construction, engineering, industry (including defence and minerals), environment and heritage tourism, and renewable energy. The two sides discussed strategies to enhance and diversify intra-trade by fostering greater communication between the private sectors of both countries. They also focused on developing an enabling investment environment for the private sector and exploring prominent investment opportunities. This involves empowering the private sector, providing necessary facilities, creating a favourable business environment, equipping with necessary capabilities, and addressing any challenges that these companies may face. Both parties stressed the pivotal role of the private sector in strengthening economic relations and reaching higher levels of cooperation.
Furthermore, they commended the outcomes of the Saudi-Turkish Investment Forum, which took place during the visit of the Saudi Minister of Investment in December 2022. The forum saw participation from over 280 prominent Saudi and Turkish companies, resulting in the signing of 12 agreements and memoranda of understanding across the government and private sectors. The upcoming Saudi-Turkish Investment Forum (focused on tourism) scheduled to be held in Istanbul in August 2023 was also welcomed by both sides.
In the energy sector, both parties emphasised the significance of maintaining stability in global energy markets. Turkiye expressed its appreciation for the Kingdom’s role in supporting the balance of global oil markets, which serves the interests of both producing and consuming countries and promotes sustainable economic growth. They expressed a mutual desire to strengthen cooperation in the energy field, including renewable energy. This encompasses initiatives such as electrical interconnection between the two countries, exporting electricity from the Kingdom to Turkiye and Europe, energy efficiency, innovation, clean technologies for hydrocarbon resources, and low-carbon fuels, including hydrogen. The discussion also included exploring opportunities for cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy and its regulatory aspects, as well as enhancing collaboration in developing projects and supply chains in the energy sectors to ensure their sustainability.
Moreover, both sides underscored the importance of enhancing cooperation in various energy-related fields. This includes the supply of petroleum, petroleum derivatives, and petrochemicals. Discussions were held on potential joint venture opportunities across the entire petrochemical sector value chain, including innovative and specialised uses of hydrocarbons. The exchange of knowledge and experiences aimed at implementing best practices for clean hydrogen usage was also emphasised. Both parties highlighted the need for collaboration between companies to optimise the utilisation of local resources in their respective countries, thereby contributing to flexibility and efficiency in energy supplies.
Concerning climate change matters, both sides reaffirmed the significance of adhering to the principles of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement. Turkiye expressed its support for the Kingdom’s endeavours in addressing climate change. They acknowledged the importance of cooperation in developing circular carbon economy applications. This involves promoting policies that employ the circular carbon economy as a tool to manage emissions and work towards achieving climate change objectives while considering individual priorities and varying national circumstances.
The two sides stressed strengthening cooperation in the industrial and mining sectors, working to activate the signed memoranda of understanding in the fields of export and import, attracting investments in the industrial sector, and enhancing future areas of cooperation in the industrial and metal sector, including the automotive and spare parts industry, aviation industry, ports and marine industry, mining industry, and food industry. Both sides welcomed both countries’ private sector involvement in investment partnerships in the agriculture and food industries. They agreed on the importance of cooperation in environment, water, agriculture and food security.
The two sides wanted to strengthen cooperation and partnership in telecommunications, technology, the digital economy, innovation and space. They also stressed the importance of activating and strengthening cooperation in the various fields of transport and logistics and discussed increasing the number of flights between the two countries.
On the defence and security aspect, the two sides expressed their determination to enhance cooperation and coordination in the fields of the defence and military industry and to activate the agreements signed between them in these fields in a way that serves the common interests of the two countries and contributes to achieving security and peace in the region and the world.
The two sides agreed on the importance of strengthening existing security cooperation and coordination on issues of common interest, including combating all forms of crimes, enhancing cooperation in combating terrorism and violent extremism, and exchanging information, expertise and training in a way that contributes to achieving security and stability in the two brotherly countries.
The two sides affirmed their determination to strengthen bilateral cooperation in combating cross-border corruption crimes in all its forms and their keenness to enhance effective communication between concerned authorities in the two countries, especially in the areas of investigation in corruption cases, prosecution of perpetrators, and recovery of proceeds from corruption crimes. All can be achieved by utilising the global anti-corruption law enforcement authorities network.
The two sides also confirmed the importance of strengthening cooperation against violent extremism, which leads to terrorism, extremism, hatred discourse and terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and the importance of spreading the culture of moderation and tolerance.
The two sides expressed aspirations to enhance cooperation in tourism, sustainable tourism, and tourism development between the two countries, explore tourism attractions in each country, and exchange expertise in industry development. They also stressed the significance of boosting cooperation and partnership in the cultural fields, sports programs and activities.
The Saudi and Turkish sides expressed their aspirations to enhance cooperation in scientific and educational fields, encourage their universities to bolster direct relations, increase research and scientific cooperation levels in vital fields, exchange expertise in operational, educational models, use modern technologies in education, conduct joint research, and develop educational materials and services of special education, e-learning and distance learning. They discussed opportunities to develop media cooperation in radio and television, news sharing, and exchange of visits between the two countries.
In the health field, the two sides expressed keenness to enhance cooperation and coordination in support of global initiatives to combat current and future pandemics, risks and challenges, and to work with international organisations and G20 countries to face global health challenges, cooperate in developing vaccines, medicines and diagnostic tools, and coordinate between the two sides regarding global efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance.
The Turkish side welcomed the Kingdom’s hosting of the Fourth Ministerial Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), scheduled to be held in November 2024. The conference aims to support the One Health, an integrated, unifying approach to balance and optimise the health of people, animals and the environment, to find effective and sustainable solutions and raise readiness and preparedness for antimicrobial resistance.
The two sides stressed the importance of cooperation and coordination between the two countries in international forums and organisations such as the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the G20 to support international efforts in facing global economic challenges.
The two sides welcomed the signing of the executive plan for cooperation in defence capabilities, industries, research and development, two acquisition contracts between the Ministry of Defence and the Turkish defence firm “Baykar”, memoranda of understanding for cooperation in direct investment, media and energy, as well as the signing of nine memoranda of understanding between the public and private sectors of both countries during the Saudi-Turkish Investment Forum, held on the sidelines of the visit, which covered the fields of energy, real estate, construction, education, digital technologies, health and media.
In the realm of international affairs, both parties have expressed their determination to continue coordinating and increasing their efforts to uphold international peace and security. They also engaged in discussions about various regional and global issues of mutual concern. The parties emphasised their commitment to strengthening cooperation and coordination in order to promote peace and stability in the region and the world.
Furthermore, the two sides once again condemned the deliberate abuse of the Holy Quran and emphasised the significance of concerted efforts to promote values such as dialogue, tolerance, coexistence, and the rejection of hatred, extremism, exclusion, and offence against all religions and sacred beliefs.
Regarding Yemen, both parties underscored the importance of fully supporting the United Nations (UN) and regional initiatives aimed at achieving a comprehensive political solution to the Yemeni crisis. The Turkish side praised the Kingdom’s extensive efforts and initiatives in promoting dialogue and reconciliation among the Yemeni parties, as well as its role in facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid to all regions of Yemen. Both parties expressed their unwavering support for the Presidential Leadership Council of Yemen. They also commended the UN’s endeavours to strengthen compliance with the ceasefire and stressed the importance of the Houthis engaging constructively with international and UN efforts to bring an end to the Yemeni crisis. They urged the Houthis to seriously consider peace initiatives and endeavors.
The Turkish side warmly welcomed the resumption of diplomatic relations between the Kingdom and Iran, expressing hope that this positive step would contribute to enhancing security and stability in the region while respecting each country’s sovereignty and non-interference in their internal affairs. Both sides emphasised the importance of Iran’s adherence to the peaceful nature of its nuclear program, transparent cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, and active participation in comprehensive negotiations involving regional countries. These negotiations aimed at addressing the sources of threats to regional and international peace and security.
The Saudi side appreciated the developing relations between Turkiye and Egypt and extended its support in this regard.
The two sides discussed the latest developments in the Palestinian Cause. They strongly condemned Israel’s continued aggression and provocations in the occupied Palestinian territories, emphasising the urgent need to intensify efforts towards achieving a comprehensive and just resolution to the Palestinian issue. They underscored the significance of basing any solution on the Arab Peace Initiative and relevant resolutions of international legitimacy. This approach would guarantee the Palestinian people’s right to establish an independent state along the pre-1967 borders, with East Al-Quds as its capital.
With regard to the situation in Sudan, both sides stressed the importance of all parties to the conflict committing to a permanent ceasefire. They also emphasised building upon the outcomes of the Jeddah Declaration on May 11, 2023, as well as other regional initiatives. It was urged that the parties engage in political dialogue to achieve a sustainable solution to the conflict and take necessary actions to alleviate the suffering of the Sudanese people.
They further emphasised that a resolution to the Sudanese crisis could be attained through a strong internal political process within Sudan that upholds the country’s sovereignty and unity while preserving its state institutions. Additionally, they underscored the significance of intensifying international efforts in providing support to Sudan and the crucial need to alleviate the suffering of the Sudanese people.
Regarding the conflict in Ukraine, both sides emphasised the importance of bringing an end to the hostilities through negotiations based on international law and the use of diplomatic solutions. They highlighted the need to engage in dialogue and make every effort to de-escalate the situation. Such actions would contribute to restoring security and stability while minimising the negative repercussions of the crisis. The humanitarian assistance and initiatives provided by Saudi Arabia and Turkiye were commended for their contributions in alleviating the impact of the crisis. Additionally, both sides underscored the significance of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, recognising its crucial role in promoting global food security and maintaining stable food prices and supply chains.
Concluding the visit, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkiye expressed gratitude towards the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for the warm reception and kind hospitality extended to him. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince conveyed his sincere wishes for President Erdogan’s continued health and happiness, as well as further progress and prosperity for the Turkish people.
Source: Saudi Press Agency