GCC

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)