Crown Prince, Turkish PM discuss regional issues; labor accord signed

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif, and Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim discussed regional issues with special reference to Syria and Iraq in Ankara on Thursday. 
“The two leaders also discussed ways and means to expand bilateral relations and pledged to work on issues of mutual interests,” said Adel bin Siraj Mirdad, Saudi ambassador to Turkey.
The crown prince, who arrived in the Turkish capital Thursday, is scheduled to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Friday. Erdogan will host a lunch banquet in honor of the crown prince. 
Ambassador Mirdad said: “The crown prince had discussions on issues of common interest in the fields of economy, security, combating terrorism, in addition to discussion of the latest developments in the region.
On the sidelines of the visit, a cooperation agreement between both countries’ ministries of labor was also signed. The accord, which has no clause for manpower recruitment from Turkey, is mainly a collaboration tie-up. 
On behalf of Saudi Arabia, Mufrej Al-Haqabani, minister of labor, signed the pact, while Mehmet Muezzinoglu inked the agreement representing Turkish side.
“A few more agreements will be signed on Friday,” said Turkish Ambassador Yunus Demirer. 
The royal visit coincides with the visit of Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who visited Ankara on Wednesday for his third set of talks with top Turkish officials in less than one and a half months despite standing on opposite sides of the Syria conflict. 
Saudi Arabia and Turkey have identical views on  Iran, Iraq and Yemen. 
“The royal visit will boost ties between Turkey and Saudi Arabia, two prominent Muslim countries with significant economic power, which are engaged in a close cooperation on regional issues in recent years,” said Demirer.
The crown prince will also hold talks with Turkish business leaders during his stay in Turkey. 
He is accompanied by several high-ranking officials including Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir, Commerce and investment Minister Majid Al-Qasabi, and Al-Haqabani. 
The visit, which ends Friday, has been described as a platform where the groundwork for strategic cooperation among Turkey, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region will be laid. 
According to the Investment Support and Promotion Agency of Turkey (ISPAT), Turkey will also address free trade agreements both with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries during the meetings with crown prince.  
The Turkish premier hosted a banquet dinner in honor of the crown prince and his entourage after the official talks.

Source: Arab News