ANKARA: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrived in Turkey for the first time in years on Wednesday for talks with President Tayyip Erdogan aimed at fully normalising ties that were ruptured after the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
The visit marks a step in efforts by the de facto Saudi leader to rehabilite his image beyond the Gulf, and comes as Erdogan seeks financial support that could help relieve Turkey's beleaguered economy ahead of tight elections for the president.
In April, Erdogan held one-on-one talks with Prince Mohammed in Saudi Arabia after a months-long drive to mend relations between the regional powers, including dropping the Turkish trial over Khashoggi's 2018 murder in Istanbul.
Erdogan said last week he and Prince Mohammed would discuss "to what much higher level" they can take ties during talks in Ankara.
The visit is expected to bring "a full normalisation and a restoration of the pre-crisis period," a senior Turkish official told Reuters on condition of anonymity. "A new era will begin."
Erdogan welcomed Prince Mohammed at the presidential palace in Ankara with a ceremony and the two shook hands and embraced, before being met by members of the Turkish cabinet.
In a statement following the talks, the two countries emphasized determination on ushering in a new period of cooperation in bilateral relations.
The Turkish official said the two countries had lifted restrictions on trade, flights and the screening of TV series, with mutual negative media coverage also halted.
However, he said negotiations on a possible currency swap line - which could help restore Turkey's diminished foreign reserves - were not moving "as fast as desired" and will be discussed privately between Erdogan and Prince Mohammed.
The two countries also discussed improving cooperation in trade and sectors such as defence, energy and tourism among others, the joint statement said. It added that Ankara invited Saudi investment funds to invest in Turkish startups.
CRITICISM HALTED
Prince Mohammed is on his first tour outside the Gulf region in over three years including a visit to Jordan.
Ties between Ankara and Riyadh took a turn for the worse after a Saudi hit squad killed and dismembered Khashoggi in 2018 at the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul. Erdogan at the time blamed it on the "highest levels" of the Saudi government.
The visit, including the welcoming ceremony at the palace, marks a turnaround in their relations. Ankara stopped all criticism and halted its murder trial in April, transferring the case to Riyadh in a move condemned by human rights groups.
Prince Mohammed has been leveraging Saudi Arabia's vast wealth and oil production capacity to lure in Western leaders and private business partners, hoping shifting geopolitics and a focus on social and economic reforms would soften criticism of his human rights record.
U.S. President Joe Biden is set to visit Saudi Arabia in July as Washington struggles with record high gasoline prices and building a united front against Russia after its invasion of Ukraine.
The visit also comes as Turkey's economy is badly strained by a slumping lira and inflation soaring beyond 70%. Saudi funds and foreign currency could help Erdogan shore up support ahead of elections by June 2023, analysts say.
The Turkish official said Saudi Arabia may be interested in companies within the Turkish Wealth Fund or elsewhere, or in making investments similar to those by the United Arab Emirates in recent months.
The leaders will also discuss the possible sale of Turkish armed drones to Riyadh, the person added.
Kemal Kilicdaroglu, leader of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), said on Tuesday that Erdogan "will embrace the man who ordered the killing" of Khashoggi and accused him of trading "the country's honour" for financial aid.
Prince Mohammed denies any involvement in the murder.
Reuters
Thu Jun 23 2022
![Saudi crown prince, Erdogan meet in Turkey with 'full normalisation' in sights Saudi crown prince, Erdogan meet in Turkey with 'full normalisation' in sights](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-06/81655949969_TayyipErdogan.jpg)
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan welcomes Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman with a handshake at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, Turkey, June 22, 2022. - REUTERS
![Penampilan pertama Trump di konvensyen GOP selepas terselamat cubaan bunuh Penampilan pertama Trump di konvensyen GOP selepas terselamat cubaan bunuh](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/71721113188_DonaldTrump.jpg)
Penampilan pertama Trump di konvensyen GOP selepas terselamat cubaan bunuh
Donald Trump menghadiri Konvensyen Kebangsaan Republikan pada malam Isnin, penampilan umum pertamanya sejak terselamat daripada cubaan bunuh.
![Malaysia pantau perkembangan insiden tembakan di Masjid Muscat Malaysia pantau perkembangan insiden tembakan di Masjid Muscat](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/71715148599_wismaputra.jpg)
Malaysia pantau perkembangan insiden tembakan di Masjid Muscat
Wisma Putra melalui Kedutaan Besar Malaysia di Muscat, Oman sedang giat menyelaras usaha dengan pihak berkuasa tempatan untuk mendapatkan maklumat lanjut.
![Ini antara pencapaian Pan-gon bersama Harimau Malaya Ini antara pencapaian Pan-gon bersama Harimau Malaya](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51721112073_PangonHarimauMal.jpg)
Ini antara pencapaian Pan-gon bersama Harimau Malaya
Kim Pan-gon memiliki rekod yang cukup baik bersama Malaysia, menjadi pengendali Harimau Malaya paling banyak mendapatkan keputusan yang positif sejak beberapa tahun kebelakangan ini.
![Kementerian Komunikasi umum Pakej Rahmah Prabayar Siswa Kementerian Komunikasi umum Pakej Rahmah Prabayar Siswa](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51721112865_FahmiFadzil.jpg)
Kementerian Komunikasi umum Pakej Rahmah Prabayar Siswa
Kementerian Komunikasi hari ini mengumumkan Pakej Rahmah Prabayar Siswa pada harga tidak melebihi RM30.
![Messi harap cepat pulih daripada kecederaan Messi harap cepat pulih daripada kecederaan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/51719647184_LionelMessi.jpg)
Messi harap cepat pulih daripada kecederaan
Kapten Argentina, Lionel Messi berharap agar beliau cepat pulih daripada kecederaan buku lali yang dialaminya perlawanan akhir Copa America.
![MARA diminta terus teroka potensi industri halal global - Ahmad Zahid MARA diminta terus teroka potensi industri halal global - Ahmad Zahid](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/71721105894_AhmadZahidHamidi.jpg)
MARA diminta terus teroka potensi industri halal global - Ahmad Zahid
MARA diminta untuk terus meneroka potensi antarabangsa dalam industri halal yang mempunyai prospek besar menerusi program Gate to Global (GTG).
Saya akan rindu bau durian - Kim Pan-gon
Menurut Kim Pan-gon, beliau akan tetap bangga dengan pasukan bola sepak Malaysia walaupun dimana beliau berada.
Katanya beliau akan merindui bau durian dan langit Malaysia. #AWANInews
Katanya beliau akan merindui bau durian dan langit Malaysia. #AWANInews
Kim Pan-gon letak jawatan berikutan komitmen peribadi
Pengurus pasukan kebangsaan Malaysia, Kim Pan-gon menyatakan perletakan jawatan tersebut kerana komitmen peribadi.
#AWANInews
#AWANInews
![Penggunaan dron tingkat keberkesanan pemantauan pencemaran - Nik Nazmi Penggunaan dron tingkat keberkesanan pemantauan pencemaran - Nik Nazmi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/71721102997_SimposiumDronKeban.jpg)
Penggunaan dron tingkat keberkesanan pemantauan pencemaran - Nik Nazmi
Penggunaan dron membolehkan pemantauan pencemaran alam sekitar dan hidupan liar serta pencerobohan hutan dilaksanakan dengan lebih berkesan.
![Kim Pan-gon letak jawatan ketua jurulatih, akan terus rindui sokongan rakyat Malaysia Kim Pan-gon letak jawatan ketua jurulatih, akan terus rindui sokongan rakyat Malaysia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/71718142997_KimPanGon.jpg)
Kim Pan-gon letak jawatan ketua jurulatih, akan terus rindui sokongan rakyat Malaysia
Beliau telah mengadakan pertemuan dengan Presiden FAM Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin, sebelum kedua-dua mereka mencapai persetujuan berhubung keputusannya itu.
![Putera Mahkota Arab Saudi berhasrat adakan lawatan rasmi ke Malaysia akhir tahun ini - PM Putera Mahkota Arab Saudi berhasrat adakan lawatan rasmi ke Malaysia akhir tahun ini - PM](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/71714405079_MohammedbinSalman.jpg)
Putera Mahkota Arab Saudi berhasrat adakan lawatan rasmi ke Malaysia akhir tahun ini - PM
Hasrat itu dizahirkan semasa dialog khas Putera Mahkota Arab Saudi itu bersama beberapa pemimpin negara lain di luar Mesyuarat Khas WEF 2024 pada Ahad.
![PM Anwar tiba di Riyadh untuk hadiri Mesyuarat Khas Forum Ekonomi Sedunia PM Anwar tiba di Riyadh untuk hadiri Mesyuarat Khas Forum Ekonomi Sedunia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/71714253502_TBAnwarIbrahim.jpg)
PM Anwar tiba di Riyadh untuk hadiri Mesyuarat Khas Forum Ekonomi Sedunia
Perdana Menteri Anwar tiba di Riyadh dalam rangka lawatan tiga hari bagi menghadiri Mesyuarat Khas Forum Ekonomi Sedunia (WEF).
![Putera Mahkota Arab Saudi tekankan kepentingan hentikan serangan Israel Putera Mahkota Arab Saudi tekankan kepentingan hentikan serangan Israel](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-01/51704781069_TBMohammedbinSal.jpg)
Putera Mahkota Arab Saudi tekankan kepentingan hentikan serangan Israel
Putera Mahkota Arab Saudi Mohammed bin Salman menekankan kepentingan untuk menghentikan serangan Israel ke atas Gaza.
![Putera Mahkota Arab Saudi gesa operasi ketenteraan di Gaza dihentikan Putera Mahkota Arab Saudi gesa operasi ketenteraan di Gaza dihentikan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-03/41616994118_MohammedbinSalman.jpg)
Putera Mahkota Arab Saudi gesa operasi ketenteraan di Gaza dihentikan
Baginda mahu negara Palestin diwujudkan untuk keamanan berkekalan di Asia Barat.
![Isu keganasan di Palestin jadi tumpuan Sidang Kemuncak GCC-ASEAN Isu keganasan di Palestin jadi tumpuan Sidang Kemuncak GCC-ASEAN](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-10/71697787895_AnwarIbrahim.jpg)
Isu keganasan di Palestin jadi tumpuan Sidang Kemuncak GCC-ASEAN
Putera Mahkota Arab Saudi, Mohammed bin Salman mengulangi sokongan negara itu untuk mencapai penyelesaian kekal kepada perjuangan rakyat Palestin.
![Arab Saudi akan terus sokong rakyat Palestin Arab Saudi akan terus sokong rakyat Palestin](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-10/41696921250_tbMASHUP.jpg)
Arab Saudi akan terus sokong rakyat Palestin
Putera Mahkota Arab Saudi Mohammed bin Salman dan Presiden Palestin Mahmoud Abbas pada Isnin mengadakan perbincangan menerusi telefon mengenai situasi di Gaza.
![Presiden Turkiye hadiahkan kereta Togg kepada Putera Mahkota Arab Saudi Presiden Turkiye hadiahkan kereta Togg kepada Putera Mahkota Arab Saudi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-07/71689663455_ErdoganMohammedSalma.jpg)
Presiden Turkiye hadiahkan kereta Togg kepada Putera Mahkota Arab Saudi
Presiden Recep Tayyip Erdogan menghadiahkan sebuah kereta elektrik buatan Turkiye, Togg, kepada Putera Mahkota Arab Saudi, Mohammed bin Salman.
![Putera Mahkota Saudi lancar syarikat penerbangan baharu Riyadh Air Putera Mahkota Saudi lancar syarikat penerbangan baharu Riyadh Air](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-12/61670409606_PrinceMohammed.jpg)
Putera Mahkota Saudi lancar syarikat penerbangan baharu Riyadh Air
Ia dijangka menyumbang AS$20 bilion kepada keluaran dalam negara kasar KDNK dan mewujudkan lebih 200,000 peluang pekerjaan.
![Kes Khashoggi: Mahkamah AS ketepi saman terhadap Putera Mahkota Arab Saudi Kes Khashoggi: Mahkamah AS ketepi saman terhadap Putera Mahkota Arab Saudi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-12/61670409606_PrinceMohammed.jpg)
Kes Khashoggi: Mahkamah AS ketepi saman terhadap Putera Mahkota Arab Saudi
Mahkamah persekutuan AS mengetepikan saman terhadap Putera Mahkota Arab Saudi Mohammed bin Salman berhubung dakwaan terlibat dalam pembunuhan wartawan Jamal Khashoggi.
![Kes pembunuhan Khashoggi: Putera Arab Saudi ada imuniti - AS Kes pembunuhan Khashoggi: Putera Arab Saudi ada imuniti - AS](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-09/71664329889_MohammedbinSalman.jpg)
Kes pembunuhan Khashoggi: Putera Arab Saudi ada imuniti - AS
Mohammed bin Salman ialah "ketua kerajaan" Arab Saudi dan beliau "kebal daripada saman ini" berdasarkan undang-undang antarabangsa.