Turkish president, Recip Tayip Erdogan, on Tuesday (3 February), started an official visit to Saudi Arabia, which is considered of crucial importance in the light of current tensions in the Middle East, and the role that a Turkish-Saudi axis can play in the wider region. Shortly after his arrival in Riyadh, President Erdogan met with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince and prime minister, Mohammed bin Salman at al Yamamah Palace. President Erdogan gave an extensive interview on his arrival in Riyadh to the Saudi newspaper Asharq al-Awsat in which he discussed bilateral ties with the Kingdom, the situation around Iran, and regional issues: Erdoğan said: “Türkiye and Saudi Arabia are two friendly countries with deep historical ties, strong state traditions, and a shared sense of regional responsibility. We have never viewed this relationship through a narrow lens confined solely to bilateral matters. This is because the valuable friendship between our two countries also carries a strategic significance for the peace, stability, and prosperity of our region as a whole.” On the possibility of the eruption of a war between the US and Iran, president Erdogan said: “Let me begin by stating that experience has proven that scenarios which fail to grasp the values, identity, history, and future of this geography have inflicted far greater suffering on the region than peace. The wounds inflicted by the implementation of such scenarios in Gaza, Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan remain vivid in our collective memory.” “For this reason, as Türkiye, we categorically oppose a new war or a new wave of destruction in our region,” he declared. (Click the image to read the interview of president Erdogan with Asharq al-Awsat in full)

They say that a week is a long time in politics, and the time since the European Political Community (EPC) was established in October 2022, may now seem like an eternity. The war in Ukraine, that triggered the establishment of the EPC, drags on, and continues to define Europe. Everything else has changed. When the EPC was established, many yawned, and saw it as yet another useless talking shop. But the idea of creating a framework that brings the 27 EU member states with other European countries – 20 at the last meeting – has increasing value. The attendance of the leaders of these 20 countries: Turkiye’s Erdogan, Ukraine’s Zelensky, UK’s Starmer, and others, has made its twice yearly meetings an important occasion. It is in one area: defence and security, where the biggest need of Europe currently is, and where the biggest potential of the EPC lays. The war in Ukraine, Russia’s malign intentions, and Trump’s reset of US foreign and security policy, focused minds. Europe had been sleeping! When it woke up it did what the EU does whenever it is faced with a problem, it threw money at it, and started a defence spending spree, that was overdue, but is not by itself enough. The EU27 may be a global economic force, but on their own they lack strategic clout. But if you add with them the other European countries such as Turkiye, UK, Ukraine, and even smaller ones such as Norway and Switzerland, it becomes a completely different preposition. Under the surface, these discussions are going on even more intensively. But the European Political Community offers a space for conversations – public and private between the leaders of wider Europe. The value of the Community is therefore significant. The next EPC summit will be in Armenia on 4 May 2026. It will be important for a number of reasons: It will be a summit that should contribute to Armenia-Azerbaijan peace; it is not clear at what level will Azerbaijan participate, but for sure this will be a high level delegation. It will be the first EPC summit in Russia’s back yard – Armenia is still a member of the EAEU, and even if only on paper, of CSTO. The summit will take place on the eve of crucial parliamentary elections in Armenia that will determine the fate of the country and the region. But in the background will be the issue of how wider Europe can work together on defence and security. This will take time – probably not less than a decade – but the work has started, and the EPC summit in Armenia will contribute to it. (click the image above to read the full Monday Commentary).