Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman visits Turkey for the first time since the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi on Wednesday for talks and a state dinner with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
The two leaders are seeking to normalise relations ruined by the murder at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul and deep differences over regional policy, including the war in Libya and Erdoğan’s support for the Muslim Brotherhood.
Many Turks are opposed to the rapprochement and were shocked when Erdoğan visited Saudi Arabia in April and embraced Prince Mohammed, who he had all but accused of giving a direct order for Khashoggi’s killing. Just prior to Erdoğan’s trip, a Turkish court ended the trial of several murder suspects in absentia and transferred the case to Saudi Arabia, sparking condemnation from human rights groups.
“We will find the opportunity to discuss how to elevate bilateral ties to a much higher level,” Erdoğan told reporters in televised comments on Friday. Reuters reported that the two leaders would sign agreements on energy, the economy and security during the meetings.
