Saudi–Turkey relations

Saudi–Turkey relations
Country1	Saudi Arabia
Country2	Turkey
Established	1927
Envoys	Saud Al-Qahtani; Hüseyin Diriöz

Saudi–Turkey relations describe interactions between Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Republic of Turkey across diplomacy, commerce, security, and culture. Relations have oscillated between cooperation and rivalry, influenced by figures such as Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Mohammed bin Salman, and events including the Arab Spring, the Syrian Civil War, and the Khashoggi murder affair.

History

Ottoman-era ties were shaped by the Ottoman Empire and the Wahhabi movement, culminating in the Arab Revolt and the Treaty of Lausanne. After the foundation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Turkey, early contacts involved diplomats from Ibn Saud and Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Cold War alignments featured interactions with NATO-related actors such as United States Department of State and regional incidents like the Suez Crisis that affected Ankara and Riyadh policy. In the 1990s, post–Gulf War dynamics intertwined positions on Iraq with links to Persian Gulf monarchies. The 21st century saw convergence during the early years of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s premiership and the ascent of Mohammed bin Salman; subsequent tensions were provoked by the Arab Spring, divergent policies in Egypt, disagreements over Qatar diplomatic crisis, and the Assassination of Jamal Khashoggi.

Diplomatic Relations and Treaties

Bilateral accreditation traces back to 1927 with envoys exchanging notes under instruments influenced by the League of Nations framework and later the United Nations. Diplomatic engagement includes embassies in Ankara and Riyadh, consular posts in Istanbul and Jeddah, and visits such as state trips by Abdullah of Saudi Arabia and meetings between Ahmet Davutoğlu and Saudi counterparts. Agreements have encompassed aviation accords with Turkish Airlines, investment memoranda involving the Saudi Public Investment Fund, and security protocols referencing instruments like the Arab League communiqués. Multilateral settings including the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the G20 Riyadh Summit, and United Nations General Assembly sessions have provided venues for treaty negotiation, while legal disputes have occasionally invoked principles from the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

Economic and Trade Relations

Trade links have involved exports of crude oil from Saudi entities like Saudi Aramco and imports of Turkish manufactured goods from companies such as Koç Holding and BİM Birleşik Mağazalar A.Ş.. Investment flows include projects by the Saudi Public Investment Fund in Turkish infrastructure and construction contracts with firms like Rönesans Holding. Tourism ties feature arrivals to Istanbul and Riyadh along routes served by Turkish Airlines and Saudia. Financial relations engage institutions including the Islamic Development Bank and cross-border banking by Türkiye İş Bankası. Economic disputes have surfaced over tariffs, currency volatility involving the Turkish lira, and sanctions considerations related to regional crises like the Yemen conflict.

Military and Security Cooperation

Military-to-military contact has ranged from defense procurement negotiations involving firms such as TAI (Turkish Aerospace Industries) and BAE Systems to intelligence exchanges addressing threats from ISIS and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. Joint training and security dialogues have occurred alongside cooperation within regional frameworks like the Gulf Cooperation Council and NATO ties linked to Incirlik Air Base. Security concerns regarding Qatar and maritime incidents in the Red Sea and Eastern Mediterranean have shaped naval and air postures. Arms deals, counterterrorism coordination, and cyber security consultations have been influenced by national strategies of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Mohammed bin Salman.

Energy and Regional Geopolitics

Energy diplomacy centers on interactions between Saudi Aramco, Turkish energy authorities, and regional pipelines involving Iraq and Russia–Turkey relations dynamics. Saudi petroleum policy inside OPEC and Turkey’s energy diversification, including projects like the Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline and relationships with Azerbaijan and Iran, have strategic implications. Geopolitical contests in Syria, competition for influence in Libya and the Horn of Africa, and positions on Jerusalem and Palestine affect bilateral stances. Cooperation in renewable energy and investments in projects across the Eastern Mediterranean and the Red Sea remain areas of negotiation.

Cultural, Religious, and Social Exchanges

Religious and cultural linkages include pilgrimages to Mecca and Medina by Turkish citizens, interactions between Turkish cultural institutions like the Yunus Emre Institute and Saudi cultural authorities, and exchanges in arts involving venues such as the Istanbul Modern and King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture. Academic ties connect universities like King Saud University and Boğaziçi University through student exchanges and research on Ottoman–Arab history. Media relations involve outlets such as Al Arabiya, Anadolu Agency, and personalities connected to diasporas in Istanbul and Riyadh.

Crises and Diplomatic Disputes

High-profile crises include the Khashoggi murder at the Consulate of Saudi Arabia in Istanbul, the Qatar diplomatic crisis where Turkey supported Qatar, and competing positions during the Egyptian coup d'état (2013) involving Mohamed Morsi and Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. Episodes of diplomatic expulsions, visa restrictions, and public statements by leaders like Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Salman of Saudi Arabia have escalated tensions. Mediation efforts by third parties such as Qatar and meetings at Beijing-brokered talks reflect attempts at rapprochement. Recent normalization initiatives have included high-level visits and economic accords, though lingering disputes over press freedoms, human rights cases like the Khashoggi case, and regional proxy competitions continue to test bilateral ties.

Category:Foreign relations of Saudi Arabia Category:Foreign relations of Turkey