Erdogan to visit Saudi Arabia for talks with MbS, Sharif

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will pay a one-day working visit to Saudi Arabia on Friday for high-level talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the presidential communications director said on Thursday, marking the latest step in Ankara's regional diplomatic outreach.

Meetings with Saudi, Pakistani leaders

Burhanettin Duran confirmed the upcoming meetings in a post on NSosyal, a Turkish social media platform. He stated that Erdogan is expected to hold discussions with the Saudi crown prince, who also serves as prime minister, and the Pakistani premier during the Friday visit. No specific details regarding the agenda or expected outcomes were immediately disclosed.

Regional cooperation focus

The visit comes as Türkiye continues to strengthen ties with Gulf states and deepen cooperation with Pakistan on bilateral and multilateral fronts. Riyadh and Islamabad remain key partners for Ankara in trade, defense, and regional security matters. The timing underscores the growing coordination between the three capitals on issues of mutual interest.

Background of diplomatic ties

The working visit follows recent high-level exchanges between Türkiye and Saudi Arabia as both nations seek to expand economic and diplomatic cooperation. Erdogan last visited Riyadh in 2023 for talks with King Salman and the crown prince. Friday's meetings are expected to focus on consolidating bilateral ties and addressing regional developments.