Turkey and Saudi Arabia deepen strategic ties with new visa agreement in Ankara

WEB DESK: The third meeting of the Turkish-Saudi Coordination Council convened in Ankara on Wednesday, marking a significant milestone in the evolving strategic partnership between the two regional powers.

Co-chaired by the Turkish Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, and his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, the high-level talks focused on synchronising geopolitical interests and expanding bilateral economic frameworks, according to TRT.

The summit underscored a shared commitment to stability in the Middle East and a mutual desire to accelerate trade and security cooperation.

Diplomatic mobility and sectoral growth

A primary outcome of the summit was the formal signing of a visa exemption agreement specifically tailored for holders of diplomatic and special passports.

This move is designed to streamline official travel, thereby facilitating more frequent high-level consultations and boosting engagement between the two nations’ business and diplomatic elites.

While the exemption does not currently extend to ordinary or tourist passport holders, officials noted that the gesture serves as a vital catalyst for deeper institutional integration.

Beyond administrative easing, the ministers reviewed a broad spectrum of cooperation across the energy, defence, and transportation sectors, identifying new avenues for joint investment and educational exchange.

Regional stability and the Gaza crisis

The discussions also ventured heavily into the realm of regional security, with a particular emphasis on the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and broader volatility across the Middle East. Both ministers reiterated the importance of a unified regional stance in addressing conflict, advocating for sustained dialogue and de-escalation.

By aligning their diplomatic weight, Ankara and Riyadh aim to play a more assertive role in mediating regional disputes.

This latest round of the Coordination Council represents a definitive step forward in the Turkey-Saudi “re-set,” transforming a period of historical rivalry into a robust, multifaceted strategic alliance.