(MENAFN - Arab News) The forthcoming visit of Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the Kingdom comes amid regional developments that necessitate more coordination between the two countries, a senior adviser to Turkish President Abdullah Gl told Arab News.
Saudi Arabia and Turkey used to work jointly for regional security and stability as well as boosting economic and political ties and activation of bilateral agreements, Arshad Hormozlo said.
The Turkish premier plans to conduct talks with Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah on bilateral, regional and international issues. In particular, the Syrian crisis will feature prominently on the agenda of talks as both countries aim to end the bloodshed there, he said.
On the attempts of Syrian regime to circumvent Kofi Annan's peace plan and continuation of bombardment using its air force on the Turkish-Syrian border, he said Turkey is well aware of the Syrian regime's behavior and claimed President Bashar Assad is trying to buy time to continue the violence. However, the Annan peace plan will cost Syria dearly if not executed, he added.
Based on current developments and experience, he expressed belief Syria will not observe the Annan peace plan which was clearly shown in its attempts to circumvent the initiative, in particular those clauses related to army withdrawal from cities and allowing peaceful demonstrations.
On the Turkish stance if Syria does not implement the Annan peace plan, he said no new chances would be given to the regime as all international efforts have been exhausted.
On Iranian negotiations with the six countries (51) on its nuclear program and why Iran tried to shift talks to Baghdad, he said those talks will be conducted as scheduled on April 14. If negotiators need to have a second round of talks in Baghdad, it will be their prerogative to do that, he said.
Erdogan will reportedly discuss with Saudi leadership their next courses of action at the United Nations in light of the Syrian regime's laxness in withdrawing their forces from cities, Turkish sources said.
During his recent visit to Chinese capital, he threatened Syria following the escalation of tensions at the Turkish-Syrian border where four Syrians and two Turkish were wounded, the sources said.
Hormozlo described the violence at the border and unjustified and said if repeated, the consequences would be serious for Syria.
