By Syeda Amtul
Saudi Gazette
JEDDAH — Turkish economy has seen a great progress in the past decade. After the country joined the G20 group, Turkish GDP almost doubled ranking it as the 16th largest economy among the OECD countries, Turkish Consul General Fikret Ozer has claimed.
“Our economy is growing rapidly despite the global economic crises and events imposed by the conflicts in Syria, Iraq and in spite of a failed coup attempt,” the official said at an event to commemorate the 93rd National Day of his country.
Ambassador Mohammed Ahmad Al-Tayeb, director of the Foreign Ministry branch in Makkah region, diplomats from various countries, their families and prominent members of the Turkish community attended the event.
Addressing the gathering, Al-Tayeb said: “On behalf of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, I would like to congratulate Turkey on its National Day. We have very old relationship with Turkey. Turkish food, culture and architecture are very famous in the world”.
Turkey, Al-Tayeb said, is part of G20 grouping and has hosted the G20 summit in 2015 in the city of Anatolia. “We would love to maintain the long-term relations between Saudi Arabia and Turkey,” he said.
Talking about the coup attempt in his country, Consul General Ozer said: “In the night of 15 July 15, the Turkish people underwent a very difficult test. The strong will of the Turkish people thwarted the coup attempt. It failed due to the wisdom of our president and the audacity of our people who sacrificed their lives for the country.”
He added: “We owe our thanks to all the citizens of Saudi Arabia led by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman who offered their support to our country and our government.”
Speaking about the strong relations between Turkey and the Kingdom, Ozer said, they are two brotherly countries with common priorities and perspectives on many issues. They have deep-rooted historic ties. With a strong economy and thanks to its influential role in the international organizations such as GCC, AL and OIC, Saudi Arabia is rightly called as one of the leading political and economical power in this region”.
“Turkey and Saudi Arabia have a very vital role to play for peace, security and stability of the region” he said.
“The number of Saudis visiting Turkey every year reached about half a million. With the new online visa application system (www.evisa.gov.tr/en/) launched in 2013, it is now easier to obtain a visa to Turkey,” he said.
Earleir Ozer read a message from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the Turkish community abroad.
