RIYADH, 12 September 2004 — Saudi Arabia and Turkey will soon endorse a major agreement to boost cooperation in combating organized crime, terrorism and drug-trafficking at bilateral and regional levels.
The draft accord, entitled “Cooperation Agreement on Security and the Fight Against Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances,” has been finalized and is awaiting formal signing by the interior ministers of the two countries.
“This joint agreement will facilitate exchange of security information and documents about terrorist organizations besides appointing liaison officers by the two countries to cooperate in the field of security affairs,” said Salih Sen, first secretary at the Turkish Embassy, here yesterday. Salih said Turkish Interior Minister Abdulkadir Aksu will visit Riyadh later this year to sign the accord. He said: “Riyadh and Ankara have stepped up their cooperation in combating terrorism following the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, and the need for stronger cooperation became more evident after the terrorist bombings in Istanbul and a spate of bombings in Riyadh.”
Turkey is playing a central role in organizing a high-profile ministerial forum of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and the European Union on Oct. 4 on civilization and harmony. Dr. Nizar Obaid Madani, assistant minister of foreign affairs, will lead the Saudi delegation to this two-day forum in Istanbul.
A symposium will also be organized by the Center for Strategic Research of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Oct. 2-3. Both the forum and the symposium will address the common general theme of “Civilization and Harmony: Values and Mechanism for the Global Order.”
A 20-member Saudi delegation will also attend an international business congress and fair, beginning Sept. 15 in Istanbul. This five-day twin event seeks to set up a global business networking among Muslim nations. The event is being organized by the Independent Industrialists and Businessmen’s Association of Turkey (MUSIAD).
About the growing ties between the Kingdom and Turkey, Salih said: “The two countries have forged closer relations in all sectors.” He pointed out that the largest commercial bank of Turkey, T.C. Ziraat Bankasi A.S. (Ziraat Bank), has applied to the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA) for a license to operate in Saudi Arabia. Ziraat Bank has a network of over 1,331 domestic branches and 15 overseas operations. It boasts a whopping $33.3 billion in assets.
“This Turkish bank has decided to open a branch in Jeddah, which will greatly help boost bilateral relations including trade and commerce between the two countries,” said Salih.
On the commercial front, Salih said the Turkish exports are likely to exceed the $1 billion mark this year. Saudi exports, he said, have already crossed $1 billion.
