JEDDAH, 13 February 2005 — Saudi Arabia and Turkey yesterday signed a landmark security cooperation agreement and pledged to work together to combat terrorism at international level.
The agreement on fighting narcotics came after talks between Interior Minister Prince Naif and his Turkish counterpart Abdulkadir Aksu. “The meeting was very successful,” said Prince Naif after signing the accord with Aksu in Riyadh.
“Our talks were frank as both sides explained their security situations. We hope to work together to play a role in the international campaign to fight terror,” he told the Saudi Press Agency.
“We have discussed the possibility of concluding a comprehensive security agreement with its main thrust on terrorism,” the prince said.
“Hopefully, we’ll reach an agreement on this in the morning and will sign it shortly, God willing,” Prince Naif told reporters.
The minister said the two countries had already started cooperating in terror fight even before signing an accord.
“We have agreed to activate our security channels,” he said, adding that the agreement would further strengthen security cooperation.
The Turkish minister said officials from both countries would hold technical talks this morning to set out a framework for anti-terror agreement.
Aksu expressed his happiness over visiting the Kingdom and hoped the visit would lead to strengthening bilateral ties.
“Saudi Arabia and Turkey are two strong and stable countries in the region, which is beset with a lot of problems. The cooperation between the two countries will benefit not only them but the region as a whole,” he said.
Referring to his meeting with Prince Naif, Aksu said “we have discussed all issues of mutual concern and reached an agreement on all matters.”
He said the meeting resulted in signing an agreement on combating drugs and exchanging views on terrorism, which he described as one of the major problems of the world.
Aksu extended his country’s full support to Saudi Arabia’s efforts in combating terrorism. He also appreciated the Saudi government’s efforts in organizing the Counterterrorism International Conference in Riyadh.
The Riyadh talks were attended by top officials including Prince Muhammad ibn Naif, assistant interior minister for security affairs, and Dr. Ahmed Al-Salim, undersecretary at the Interior Ministry.
