Crown prince’s talks focus on Syria

Key regional issues including Syria and Yemen topped the agenda of discussions between Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif and Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim in Ankara Thursday. 
“The talks focused on the whole gamut of bilateral, regional and international topics of common concern,” said Yunus Demirer, Turkish ambassador, while speaking to Arab News via phone from Ankara.
Demirer said that “Crown Prince Mohammed’s trip comes at a crucial time because of what is happening in Syria, Yemen and Iran.” The crown prince's ongoing visit comes as the ruthless regime of Bashar Assad have carried out one of the most deadly aerial bombardments ever on opposition-held eastern Aleppo.
Speaking to Turkish daily newspaper “Sabah”, Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir praised the exemplary bilateral relations between Turkey and Saudi Arabia. He also noted extensive cooperation between the two countries as he affirmed that the Saudi government has not permitted Gulenist establishments in the country.
He praised the Turkish people for the "heroism" displayed on the night of the coup attempt and underlined that the Saudi government supports the steps taken by the Turkish government thereafter. While the two countries display exemplary bilateral relations, Foreign Minister Al-Jubeir stated that the strategic consultation and coordination committee between the two countries is set to meet by early November at the latest, to discuss and finalize bilateral agreements.
Al-Jubeir also spoke about the committee established between the two countries. "It's a strategic consultation and coordination committee between the two countries headed by the two foreign ministers and it has working groups in different areas, including security, military, trade and finance, investment, counterterrorism and social and cultural issues”, he noted. 
The countries have drafted a number of agreements and many have been signed; some of them will be finalized soon. To this end, it is important to note that a cooperation agreement between the ministries of labor of the two countries was signed on Thursday in Ankara.
Al-Jubeir also spoke about other regional issues and cooperation with Turkey on those issues.
He said that “we would also like to have the best possible relations with Iran." 
He, however, noted that Iran has been meddling in the affairs of the Arab countries. Turkey and Saudi Arabia have had similar positions on Iran. Diplomatically, Riyadh and Ankara support each other's stance on the conflict-hit countries of Syria, Yemen, and Iraq. But when it comes to Syria, their shared goal is even more aligned. According to some estimates, around half a million people have been killed since the civil war began in 2011. The fighting has displaced millions. More than 2 million people are seeking refuge in Turkey alone.
Turkey's army is actively engaged in northern Syria, backing the Free Syrian Army which is fighting Daesh as well as the Assad regime's forces. Saudi Arabia supports many of the same rebel groups. Both Riyadh and Ankara have made it clear that as long as Assad remains in power, lasting peace cannot come to Syria.

Source: Arab News