The successive summits and exchange of visits between Riyadh and Ankara in a short period of time reflect the mutual keenness of the two sides to communicate, discuss and exchange views, coordinate efforts and promote cooperation at various levels.
The visit to Turkey this past week by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif, deputy prime minister and minister of interior, followed less than six months after the visit of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman to Ankara, which was the second visit undertaken by the king to Turkey in six months as well.
Saudi Arabia was at the forefront of countries that supported the Turkish people and their democratically elected government when they faced a coup attempt in mid-July. Riyadh publicly rejected the coup attempt, and Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman congratulated Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan much before things returned to normal in Turkey.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Turkey signed the minutes for establishing the Saudi-Turkish Coordination Council on April 14, during the visit of King Salman to Turkey, which is concerned with the coordination between the two countries in the political, diplomatic, economic, trade, banking, financial fields, maritime navigation, industry, energy, agriculture, culture, education, technology and military fields, military industries, security, media, press and television fields, and consular affairs.
Saudi investors succeeded in obtaining a privileged position in the Turkish economy, while Turkish investors have benefited from major
infrastructure projects, which are being implemented in the Kingdom, most notably the renovation and operation of the Prince Mohammed bin
Abdul Aziz Airport in Madinah project, in partnership with a Saudi company.
The number of Saudi companies operating in Turkey amounts to around 800 companies, while the total number of Turkish companies operating in Saudi Arabia is about 200 companies, with a $17 billion in business and a share capital of more than $600 million.

Source: Arab News