Saudi newspapers editorially commented today on the official visit of Turkish President Abdullah Gul to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and said a large number of people think that the return of Turkey to the Arab and Islamic fold reflects its despair from joining the European Union, or it may be an endeavor to create a parallel leadership with Iran. The papers pointed out that what happened in Davos was an introduction to addressing the Islamic thinking through an independent Turkish decision without any influence from any power inside or outside the region. "Moreover, Turkey is an influential country in its European and Asian domains and it is an ally of the US and a friend of Israel." "Turkey is an important country and it has a growing economy and a great industrial, commercial and tourism base in addition to human resources which constitute the most important human resources outside Europe and the developed Asian countries." The papers said the visit of the Turkish President will be concerned with the economic, security and cultural issues in addition to the situation in the region. The papers believe that the Kingdom plays a pioneering role during crisis and even during the normal circumstances. --MORE
