Turkey’s Erdogan meets Saudi leaders in first visit since Khashoggi killing
- The president had separate sit-downs with King Salman and de-factor ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as he sought to launch a ‘new era’ in bilateral ties
- Turkey had infuriated the Saudis by pressing ahead with an investigation into journalist Khashoggi’s murder, but relations are gradually improving
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met Thursday with Saudi Arabia’s king and crown prince during his first visit since the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi drove a wedge between the Sunni powers.
Pictures published by Turkish state media showed separate sit-downs with King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto ruler who US intelligence officials have determined approved the plot against Khashoggi – something Riyadh denies.
The trip came as Turkey, facing an economic crisis fuelled by the collapse of its currency and soaring inflation, tries to drum up financial support from energy-rich Gulf countries.
Before flying from Istanbul to Saudi’s second city Jeddah, where some roads were lined with Turkish and Saudi flags, Erdogan said he hoped “to launch a new era” in bilateral ties.
“We believe enhancing cooperation in areas including defence and finance is in our mutual interest,” Erdogan said.