Gargash calls Erdogan’s visit to Saudi Arabia a positive step for region

Recent visits by Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the UAE and to Saudi Arabia are a “positive step” for the region, Dr Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to President Sheikh Khalifa, has said.

The region will benefit from an approach of “communication and rapprochement”, Dr Gargash said in a tweet on Saturday after the Turkish leader made his first visit to Saudi Arabia in five years.

“The visits of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the UAE and sisterly Saudi Arabia, and the adoption of the approach of communication and rapprochement, is a positive step for the benefit of the region as a whole,” Dr Gargash said.

Mr Erdogan held talks with King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman after arriving in Jeddah on Thursday for a two-day visit. The trip followed several years of estrangement between Turkey and Saudi Arabia over several issues.

“We focused on the joint steps we can take to improve our relations in the future,” Mr Erdogan said on Saturday.

Mr Erdogan made his first official trip to the UAE in 10 years in February. During it, he met Emirati leaders including Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

Mr Erdogan also visited the Turkish pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai.