Salman, Erdogan discuss Mideast   

23 May, 2013

Crown Prince Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense, held talks here with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the latest developments in the Middle East.

The talks, which were attended by Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal, focused on ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said.

Erdogan hosted a luncheon in honor of Prince Salman and his accompanying delegation.

During the meeting with Erdogan, the crown prince highlighted the brotherly relations between the two Islamic countries.

He noted the desire of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, Turkish President Abdullah Gul and Erdogan to strengthen ties.

Prince Salman arrived in Jeddah later in the day at the conclusion of his official visit to Turkey, where he had signed key industrial and defense agreements.

During his visit, the crown prince also held talks with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and Defense Minister Ismet Yilmaz.

Prince Salman and Yilmaz “reviewed military cooperation and ways of enhancing it and discussed the latest regional and international developments,” SPA said.

According to Mazen Rajab, chairman of the Saudi-Turkish Business Council, there are more than 300 Saudi companies in Turkey. Most of them are specialized in industry, telecoms, banking, finance and real estate.

“There is a plan to set up a committee to resolve trade disputes with Turkey,” he added.