RIYADH: Turkish Ambassador Erdogan Kok recently hosted a grand reception to mark the 95th anniversary of the foundation of Turkey at his official residence in Riyadh. Prince Faisal bin Bandar, governor of Riyadh, was the chief guest at the celebration, which was attended by several senior Saudi and Turkish officials.
Prince Faisal and Kok marked Turkish National Day by cutting a cake. The national anthems of Saudi Arabia and Turkey were played amid the unfurling of hand-held nationals flags of the two countries by a group of boys and girls who donned national attire.
Kok said: “Turkey today is a country with a flourishing democracy, a strong economy and a vibrant society and cultural life.”
“Turkey and Saudi Arabia have developed a special friendship all these years based on deep-rooted historical, cultural, economic and social bonds. This relationship has been tested over many years but grown stronger each time, and our countries will also overcome the challenges ahead,” said the envoy.
Kok said: “Our trade volume has reached $5 billion annually … while the number of Saudis visiting Turkey continues to increase every year, and has already reached 700,000 this year. Our Saudi sisters and brothers feel at home in Turkey.
“On the other hand, Turkish people continue to visit Saudi Arabia to perform their religious duties in the holy places.”
He said that millions of pilgrims perform their religious duties in peace and safety every year. “We are grateful to all Saudi authorities for their endless efforts to make the annual Hajj operation safe and successful,” said Kok, adding that Turkey has adopted the presidential system of government this year, which eliminated the shortcomings of bureaucracy and allowed a more flexible, accountable and efficient system of governance.
“With this, Turkey is striving to meet its 2023 Centennial Goals, while Saudi Arabia pursues its 2030 Vision,” said the diplomat. “We strongly support Saudi Arabia in their endeavors for the further development of the country under the wise leadership of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
“Turkey and Saudi Arabia can help one another in achieving these goals by furthering their economic and social cooperation, and Turkey will always remain a reliable partner and friend,”he added.
DiplomaticQuarter: Turkish Embassy in Riyadh celebrates country’s 95th National Day
DiplomaticQuarter: Turkish Embassy in Riyadh celebrates country’s 95th National Day
- Turkish envoy: Turkey and Saudi Arabia have developed a special friendship all these years based on deep-rooted historical, cultural, economic and social bonds. This relationship has been tested
KSrelief delivers dates to Sudan and Burkina Faso
RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has distributed dates in Sudan and Burkina Faso, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.
In Sudan 700 cartons of dates were distributed, benefiting 4,020 individuals living in Wad Madani.
The aid agency also gifted 50 tonnes of dates to Burkina Faso as a part of their relief programs.
Saudi crown prince, European council president discuss cooperation
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received a phone call from European Council President Antonio Costa, the Saudi Press Agency said early Thursday.
The pair discussed enhancing cooperation between the Kingdom and European Union countries.
They also tackled a number of regional and international issues and the efforts made to achieve security and stability.
Interpol to establish regional office in Saudi Arabia
- The Kingdom and the international police organization sign host country agreement
RIYADH: Interpol is to establish an office in Saudi Arabia that will serve the Middle East and North Africa region.
Hisham Al-Faleh, undersecretary at the Kingdom’s Ministry of Interior, and Jurgen Stock, secretary-general of the international police organization, signed a host country agreement on Wednesday.
Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud, the Saudi Minister of Interior, and Maj. Gen. Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi, the president of Interpol, also attended the signing ceremony, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
In addition, they discussed Interpol’s activities during a meeting that also included Nasser Al-Dawood, the deputy minister of interior; Brig. Gen. Abdulmalik Al-Saqeeh, the director general of Saudi Interpol; and other senior officials.
Saudi Shoura Council speaker receives Japan’s newly appointed envoy
Saudi Shoura Council Speaker Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al-Asheikh received Japan’s newly appointed Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Morino Yasunari in Riyadh on Wednesday.
The Japanese ambassador praised the strong ties between Saudi Arabia and Japan, affirming his country’s commitment to enhancing cooperation across various sectors, Saudi Press Agency reported.
During the meeting, the two sides also discussed ways to bolster parliamentary collaboration between the Shoura Council and the Japanese Parliament, and other topics of mutual interest.
Qassim governor praises green initiative’s success
- The Green Qassim Land Initiative has completed planting 5 million trees as part of the broader Saudi Green Initiative
RIYADH: Qassim Gov. Prince Faisal bin Mishaal commended the success of the Green Qassim Land Initiative in planting 5 million trees as part of the broader Saudi Green Initiative.
In a meeting on Wednesday, he praised government and private sector efforts, particularly the contributions of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture and the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification.
The governor also lauded the ministry’s and center’s innovative approach to repurposing materials confiscated from environmental regulation violators for sustainable reforestation, notably in Qassim National Park.
Prince Faisal reaffirmed the region’s commitment to expanding vegetation cover and strengthening environmental protection, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The ministry’s Qassim branch director general, Salman Al-Suwainea, said that the initiative has progressed through various stages of collaboration with governmental and nonprofit organizations, playing a key role in advancing the Saudi Green Initiative’s objectives.
