Anwar Gargash hails Erdogan's visit to Saudi Arabia as a positive step for region

Diplomatic adviser to the UAE President welcomes approach of 'communication and rapprochement'

Dr Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Adviser to President Sheikh Khalifa. Photo: Reem Mohammed / The National

The recent visits by Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the UAE and to Saudi Arabia this week are a "positive step" for the region, senior Emirati official Dr Anwar Gargash said on Saturday.

The region will benefit from an approach of "communication and rapprochement", Dr Gargash, Diplomatic Adviser to the President, Sheikh Khalifa, said in a tweet on Saturday after the Turkish president made his first visit to Saudi Arabia in five years.

"The visits of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the UAE and sisterly Saudi Arabia, and the adoption of the approach of communication and rapprochement, is a positive step for the benefit of the region as a whole," Dr Gargash said.

Mr Erdogan held talks with King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman after arriving in Jeddah on Thursday for a two-day visit to the kingdom. He travelled to Makkah on Friday to perform the Umrah pilgrimage.

The visit followed several years of estrangement between Turkey and Saudi Arabia over several issues.

"We focused on the joint steps we can take to improve our relations in the future," Mr Erdogan said on a flight back to Turkey on Saturday.

"I reiterated our support for the security and stability of Saudi Arabia," Turkey's Anadolu news agency quoted him as saying.

Mr Erdogan made his first official trip to the UAE in 10 years in February, during which he met Emirati leaders including Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

Mr Erdogan also visited the Turkish pavilion at the Expo 2020 Dubai site as officials from both sides finalised agreements to enhance trade and co-operation.