Erdogan lands in Jeddah for talks with Saudi, Pakistan leaders

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Jeddah: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Saudi Arabia on Friday for discussions with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Saudi media said, as the three countries seek to strengthen security cooperation.

Erdogan is expected to make a one-day working visit to the kingdom, with his arrival in Jeddah signalling the start of meetings likely to focus on bilateral relations and regional developments.

Sharif is also in Saudi Arabia, accompanied by Pakistan's army leader, Field Marshal Asim Munir. The Pakistani prime minister came ahead of the trilateral discussions, as tensions and security worries remain high in the region.

The meetings take place as Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan prepare to sign an integrated defence deal in Jeddah on Friday, according to sources. The pact would boost military and security cooperation among the three countries, however details of the proposed agreement have not been made public.

The trilateral interaction brings together Saudi Arabia, an influential Gulf state, Turkey, a NATO member, and nuclear-armed Pakistan at a time of rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

Erdogan's visit emphasises Ankara's efforts to enhance ties with Riyadh and Islamabad. His conversations with Mohammed bin Salman and Sharif will likely be centred on regional security as well as broader political and economic cooperation.