Turkish Sources: Erdogan Did not Propose Initiative to Solve Crisis with Doha
Asharq Al-Awsat learned that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan did not present any initiative or mediation role to solve the current Gulf crisis during his meeting with Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz in Jeddah on Monday.
Yet, he stressed the importance of the unity of the GCC countries and the possibility to solve all problems through dialogue.
The Turkish President’s meeting with the Saudi King was positive, according to what senior Turkish officials told Asharq Al-Awsat, noting that he stressed the continued development of bilateral relations in all fields and that relations were not affected by the current Qatari crisis.
King Salman held a talking session with Erdogan at al-Salam Palace in Jeddah, and the two parties reviewed developments in the region and efforts exerted to combat terrorism and its sources of funding, in addition to the bilateral relations.
In this context, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with Erdogan and reviewed bilateral relations and means of developing them in addition to the latest developments in the region, especially means to combat terrorism.
Erdogan voiced his support for mediation efforts being led by Kuwait and said initiatives underway to resolve the crisis through dialogue should continue, sources told Asharq Al-Awsat.
The Turkish president arrived in Jeddah, west of Saudi Arabia, Sunday noon as part of a two-day Gulf tour to mediate a solution to the crisis with Qatar.
He left Jeddah on Sunday evening for Kuwait to meet with Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah in his second stop before heading to Qatar Monday as part of his efforts to resolve the current crisis.
Erdogan left Doha Monday afternoon at the end of his talks with Qatari officials.
Source: Aaswat