August 18, 2006

THE CUSTODIAN OF THE TWO HOLY MOSQUES MEETS WITH THE TURKISH PRIME MINISTER IN ISTANBUL AND RESUMES THEIR DISCUSSIONS. KING ABDULLAH: WE WATCH GRATEFULLY HOW TURKEY USES ITS INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS TO SERVE STABILITY AND SECURITY IN THE REGION. THE CUSTODIAN OF THE TWO HOLY MOSQUES GRACES THE MEETING OF SAUDI TURKISH BUSINESSMEN AND VISITS THE RESEARCH CENTER FOR ISLAMIC HISTORY, ARTS AND CULTURE. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz arrived in Istanbul coming from Ankara within the framework of his official visit to Turkey. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques was accompanied by Turkish Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul and the Saudi official delegation. At Istanbul International Airport, the Monarch was received by Istanbul Governor Muammar Koler; Istanbul Mayor Kadir Tobash; Secretary General of Organization of Islamic Conference Ekmeleddin Ihsan Oglu; Prince Major General Pilot Mansour Ibn Bandar Ibn Abdul Aziz, Commander of King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz air base; Saudi Consul General in Istanbul Ambassador Mohammed Jameel Hashim; Vice Consul General Salim Al-Mansour; consulate's members and a number of Turkish officials. Earlier in the day, the Monarch left Ankara. At Ankara International Airport, the Monarch was seen off by Ankara Governor Yahya Kor; a number of officials and members of the Saudi embassy in Ankara. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz met Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. During the meeting, they resumed discussions on issues of common interest. The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal and Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul. King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, then, graced a dinner party in which Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivered a speech welcoming the Saudi visiting delegation and said this is the first visit by Saudi King to Turkey in forty years. "Moreover, this important visit (of the King) will be a positive element in further developing the relations between the two countries." Erdogan also affirmed that the Turkish citizens would be able to participate in various fields of works in Saudi Arabia in the light of steadily growing economic relations and said this meeting definitely provided bright prospects and future hopes. He added that commercial exchange between the two countries amounted to $ 3 billion but this amount is inadequate and does not reflect our potentials and resources, pointing out that the agreements which were signed as a result of King Abdullah's visit, without doubts, are beneficial and serious steps toward completing the legal framework for Saudi-Turkish efforts. "However, additional steps will be undertaken by the two sides in this context." Erdogan also said that Turkey's developing economy, its strategic location and its underlying power are considered strong factors for a robust partnership with Saudi Arabia, pointing out to the positive results of applying the new economic program. He added that stability and self-confidence have been reinforced reaching a historical point by the full membership in the European Union through direct dialogue, so Turkey has become an attractive investment center. Erdogan also called on Saudi investors to benefit more from Turkey's investment opportunities, pointing out that the Turkish government and people are pleased with the new positive phase of the relations between the two countries in the fields of tourism, contracting, health and military cooperation. "Turkey is ready to share its modern technology and experience with the Saudi brothers and that this (King Abdullah's) visit has added a new phase for the friendly and good relations between the two countries. We have great wishes to push forward the bilateral cooperation," he said. In an address on the occasion, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz said that he thanked Erdogan for his brotherly feelings, adding that such feelings are not new for the Turkish people. The King affirmed that the Saudi people exchange with the Turkish people similar fraternal feelings. King Abdullah also expressed his pleasure over Turkey's warm hospitality, pointing out that Saudi-Turkish relations have been deep-rooted and steady over the years and that these relations are to be bolstered for the interest of the entire region in general and of the two countries in particular. King Abdullah said that Turkey has a strategic location between the West and the East and that he appreciates the important role it plays in promoting dialogue among civilizations. The King also said that Turkey enjoys distinguished relations with the rest of the world. "Moreover, we do realize how Turkey may use these relations to serve security and stability in the region. We are also reminded on this occasion of Turkey's efforts in the past and in the present to support the Palestinian people and to reach a just solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict, and its active role in OIC to serve Islam and Muslims." Turning towards Erdogan and addressing him, King Abdullah said "Lebanon is our brother (country) but you have not left anything for me to talk about (further) because you are a Turkish Muslim who cares about Lebanon and Arab issues and I thank you for what you have said about it because you have said it on behalf of me, you and the Turkish and Saudi people." King Abdullah, then, extended an invitation to Erdogan to visit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, wishing him good health and happiness and the Turkish people prosperity and constant security and progress. After the dinner party, King Abdullah left to his place of residence (in Istanbul) accompanied by Erdogan. The dinner party was attended by the King's accompanying delegation and a number of Turkish and Saudi businessmen and other high-ranking officials. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz And Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan graced the meeting of Saudi and Turkish businessmen organized by both the union of Turkish chambers of commerce and the council of Saudi chambers. During the meeting, the chairman of the union of Turkish chambers of commerce Refat Khasar Jaik Uglo delivered a speech welcoming both the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Turkey's Prime Minister. He also asserted that businessmen in the two countries are responsible for developing the commercial and economic ties between the two countries. At the end of his speech, he thanked both the custodian of the two holy mosques and turkey's prime minister for gracing the meeting of Saudi and Turkish businessmen. Then, the chairman of Islamic chambers of commerce and industry Salih Kamel delivered a speech explaining the work plan for the Islamic chambers of commerce and industry during the coming ten years issued by Islamic summit conference in Makkah. He also pointed out that the Islamic chamber lunched a donation campaign by members of the Arab and Islamic chambers to support Lebanon in cooperation with the Islamic development bank and under the supervision of the organization of the Islamic conference. Afterward, the chairman of the Saudi chambers Abdul Rahman Al-Rashid delivered a speech asserting the importance of this meeting. the custodian of the two holy mosques and Turkish Prime Minister's gracing of the meeting is important for supporting the business sector in both countries and enhance ways of cooperation between the two countries, he said. He added that the custodian of the two holy mosques gave the economic field a priority within his reform program. Then, Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivered a speech thanking the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for his visit to turkey. He also considered this visit as important for supporting and developing the relations between the kingdom and Turkey. Also, the Prime Minister considered the meeting of Saudi and Turkish businessmen as an important step in the field of developing the economic relations between the two countries. Furthermore, the Prime Minister highlighted the economic developments witnessed by turkey during the last two decades. Then, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques delivered a speech in which he hoped the meeting of Saudi and Turkish businessmen would reach tangible results bolstering ties between the two countries. King Abdullah highlighted development of Saudi Turkish relations in various fields and constant growth of economic relations since the signing of a Saudi Turkish cooperation agreement in 1973. He underlined both countries' intent to boost economic relations and urged businessmen in both countries to establish more joint venture projects and invest more money. The meeting was attended by the official delegation accompanying the king and members of the Turkish government. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz and Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited the Research Center For Islamic History, Arts and Culture affiliated to the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) in Istanbul. At the Research Center, they were received by the Secretary General of OIC Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, the director of the research center Dr. Khalid Arn and a number of officials from the research center. Then, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Turkey's Prime Minister toured the research center and were briefed on its contents. They watched a film about the center's activities and participations in the international cultural gatherings. They also viewed old photos of the Two Holy Mosques, Al-Quds city and Al Aqsa Mosque. Later, the Director of the Research Center and the Secretary General of OIC handed the custodian of the two holy mosques a gift on this occasion. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques presented two memorial gifts to the research center on this occasion. During the visit, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Turkey's Prime Minister were accompanied by the accompanying delegation of the King and Turkish Foreign Minister.