Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan kicked off his three-state Gulf tour by arriving in Saudi Arabia on Monday.
The tour focuses on seeking investment and financial support to alleviate budgetary constraints, chronic inflation, and currency weakening in Turkey.
After Saudi Arabia, Erdogan is scheduled to visit the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, with business forums scheduled in each country. The tour is set to conclude on July 19, marking a milestone in strengthening economic ties and cooperation between Turkiye and the Gulf states.
Erdogan is accompanied by a comprehensive delegation, comprising government ministers, officials, around 200 business leaders, investors, and company owners.
#فيديو_واس | سمو #ولي_العهد وفخامة رئيس جمهورية تركيا يعقدان جلسة مباحثات رسمية ولقاءً ثنائياً.#الرئيس_التركي_في_المملكة#واس pic.twitter.com/y6PYhLwRwL
— واس الأخبار الملكية (@spagov) July 17, 2023
During the visit to KSA, Erdogan engaged in discussions with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and other Saudi officials, covering bilateral relations, regional and international developments, and avenues to enhance cooperation across all sectors. The agreements encompassed energy, defense industries, research and development, direct investment, and media.
Saudi Arabia signs deal to acquire Turkish drones
During Erdogan’s visit, Saudi Arabia made a significant purchase of Turkish drones, highlighting the positive outcomes of his recent diplomatic efforts to mend relations with Gulf Arab powers.
The Defense Ministry of Saudi Arabia signed the deal with Turkish drone manufacturer Baykar signed the defense deal to acquire the combat drone named Akinci. The total value of the contract and the number of systems were not shared.
Saudi Arabia will acquire the drones “with the aim of enhancing the readiness of the kingdom’s armed forces and bolstering its defense and manufacturing capabilities”, Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman said in a statement. he confirmed that two acquisition contracts were signed between the Saudi Defence Ministry and Baykar.
Gururluyuz!
— BAYKAR (@BaykarTech) July 18, 2023
Ülkemiz için önemli bir ihracat ve iş birliği sözleşmesini daha başarıyla tamamladık.
Baykar ile Suudi Arabistan Savunma Bakanlığı (@modgovksa) arasında gerçekleştirilen Bayraktar #AKINCI TİHA ihracat sözleşmesini imzaladık.
Milli TİHA Bayraktar #AKINCI, Suudi… https://t.co/5OmzFj92u1 pic.twitter.com/0t3FpQgXlv
Bakyar CEO Haluk Bayraktar described it as “the biggest deal signed with Saudi Arabia in Turkish defense history in a single contract”.
Agreements signed in energy, defense, and other fields
Saudi Arabia and Turkey signed multiple bilateral memorandums of understanding in various sectors including those related to energy, direct investments, and defense, as reported by Saudi state news agency SPA on Tuesday.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdogan and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Notably, Saudi Arabia signed two contracts with Turkish defense firm Baykar, with the goal of improving the readiness of their armed forces and bolstering defense and manufacturing capabilities, according to a tweet by Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman.
Besides the defense contracts, the two nations also finalized a defense cooperation plan during the meeting between Erdogan and the crown prince, which took place late Monday night.
Erdogan gifts Turkiye’s first electric car Togg to Saudi Crown Prince
During an official reception ceremony for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Saudi Arabia, a significant moment unfolded as Erdogan presented Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman with a special gift – Turkiye’s first electric car, Togg. Proudly manufactured in Turkey, the leaders took the opportunity to test the innovative Togg model within the Al Salam Royal Palace courtyard, as reported by the Anadolu news agency.
This gesture symbolizes the strengthening ties between the two nations and also showcases Turkey’s advancement in the electric car industry.