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Deepening political relations between Türkiye and Saudi Arabia are positively affecting bilateral economic cooperation and contributing to regional stability, as the two countries continue high-level engagement.
The two Middle Eastern powers have expanded cooperation through intensified diplomatic contacts and growing trade ties in recent years.
An Anadolu Agency correspondent compiled the historical trajectory of relations between Türkiye and Saudi Arabia, which have been taken even further in recent years.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set to pay another key visit to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday as part of ongoing high-level exchanges between Ankara and Riyadh.
During the visit, Erdogan is expected to be officially received by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh.
As part of the visit, the Saudi Arabia–Türkiye Business Forum will be held, organized by Türkiye’s Trade Ministry and the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK).
Last week, the Saudi Cabinet authorized agreements with Türkiye in renewable energy and civil defense and approved a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in social services.
Closer relations have been reflected in trade figures between the two countries.
According to data from the Turkish Statistical Institute, bilateral trade volume reached $6.825 billion in 2023 and hovered around $8 billion in 2024, following a pandemic-related slowdown in 2020 and 2021.
Türkiye’s exports to Saudi Arabia rose to $3.149 billion last year, with grains, legumes and oilseeds leading exports, followed by carpets and chemical products.
Saudi Arabia primarily exports crude oil and petrochemical products to Türkiye.
Improved diplomatic and economic relations have also extended to defense cooperation.
ASELSAN signed memorandums of understanding with Saudi partners in 2015 and later established the Saudi Defense Electronics Company (SADEC) through cooperation with TAQNIA DST.
In July 2023, Baykar signed an agreement with Saudi Arabia’s Defense Ministry for the export and cooperation of Bayraktar AKINCI unmanned combat aerial vehicles, marking Türkiye’s largest-ever defense and aviation export contract.
Türkiye and Saudi Arabia have coordinated closely on regional issues, including Palestine, Syria, Yemen, Sudan and Somalia, through platforms such as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the United Nations.
Following Israel’s declaration of war on Gaza in October 2023, the two countries aligned their positions on supporting a two-state solution for Palestine.
International efforts involving Türkiye and Saudi Arabia contributed to the recognition of Palestine as a state by 160 of the UN’s 193 member countries.
The two governments also supported stability and reconstruction efforts in Syria after the overthrow of the Bashar Assad regime in December 2024 and played a role in lifting international sanctions on the country’s new administration.
Both countries continue to support stability through humanitarian aid and diplomatic engagement in conflict-affected countries across the region.
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