Turkish President Abdullah Gul visited here today the Shoura (consultative) Council where he was welcomed by Dr Salih bin Humeid, the Council's Chairman. Welcoming President Gul, Dr.Bin Humeid said the Shoura Council is accustomed to host a number of leaders of countries, adding that their speeches at the Shoura Council have had a positive impact on cementing the relations of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with their countries. Dr Bin Humeid underlined the importance of the visit of the Turkish President to the Kingdom and said special relations exist between the Kingdom and Turkey either at the bilateral or regional and Islamic arenas. The Saudi-Turkish diplomatic relations dates back to 1929, following the signing of the friendship and cooperation agreement between the two countries, he said. He drew attention to the joint history that links the two countries and said Islam has linked the two countries with the strongest and the most fruitful relations. He called for developing bilateral relations, taking into account the requirements of the contemporary time. Dr.Bin Humeid noted that the significant role played by the visits of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz to Turkey in 2006 and 2007, adding that the current visit of President Gul to the Kingdom will be more fruitful as regards cementing fraternal relations between the two countries. If the Kingdom has earned an importance due to its religious status and its political and economic weight, and also due its policy which is based on reason and objectiveness as well as on justice and righteousness, Turkey has earned similar importance due to its strong international relations and its balanced policy, he said, adding that it will enable the two countries to play a distinguished role in the region. --MORE
