Saudi-Turkey relations on a strong footing

(MENAFN - Arab News) Turkey, which has partnered with Saudi companies in successfully completing the infrastructure of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology and many other projects in the Kingdom, said on Thursday night that its relations with Saudi Arabia have been expanding by leaps and bounds.

"Our political relations are at an impeccable level, which has led to a rapid development in the diversification of economic, commercial and social ties," Turkish Consul General Salih Mutlu Sen said while addressing his country's national day celebration. Saleh Abdullatif of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Makkah Region, was the chief guest, while Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, secretary general of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), and Islamic Development Bank Vice president (Corporate Services) Ahmet Tiktik, were the guests of honor. A large number of officials, diplomats, businessmen and community members were present at the event.

Turkey conducts systematic programs for the underdeveloped and developing countries within its region, as well as those in the OIC to provide humanitarian, technical and economic aid. "We work toward assisting our brotherly countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan and Palestine, as well as all others during their difficult times. "Whether as a member of the UN Security Council or NATO, Turkey has been working toward world peace and security," Sen said and emphasized that Turkey's foreign policy was based on "The Great Ataturk's words, Peace at Home, Peace in the World."

He referred to the Eser-Onur-Nesma partnership that has successfully completed the KAUST infrastructure and said toward the end of the year Turkey's largest bank, Ziraat Bankasi, would start operating in Jeddah. Also, a representative from Turkey's largest news agency, Anadolu, has been appointed in Jeddah, and toward the end of the year the office of the Turkish commercial attach, and trade center would continue its operations from a new location on Tahlia Street.

The bilateral trade volume stands at $5.5, which remains in favor of the Kingdom due to Turkey's large-scale import of oil and petroleum products, he said, adding that Turkish contracting companies like Guris, STFA, Ekol-Asdem, GAMA, Yuksel, MNG and Eser Onur were in the process of completing important projects in Jeddah as well as other regions of the Kingdom.

"We are gearing up to receive 100,000 pilgrims for this year's Haj and all health precautions are being taken before they emplane for their annual pilgrimage," Sen said.

By K.S. Ramkumar

Source: Middle East North Africa Financial News (MENAFN).
Link: http://www.menafn.com/qn_news_story_s.asp?StoryId=1093280017.