Turkey and Saudi Arabia set to ease visa rules during Ankara talks between foreign ministers

Turkey and Saudi Arabia are expected to sign an agreement easing visa requirements for some citizens during high-level talks in Ankara on Wednesday, according to a Turkish diplomatic source.

The agreement is expected to apply to holders of special and diplomatic passports during a meeting of the Turkey-Saudi Coordination Council.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud are due to lead the discussions.

The talks come as relations between Ankara and Riyadh continue to improve after years of tensions. Both sides began efforts to repair relations in 2020.

The diplomatic source said Fidan would also discuss regional issues, including the conflict involving Iran and growing tensions around the Strait of Hormuz.

According to the source, Turkey will continue to support “regional ownership” in resolving Middle East crises and warn that developments in the Strait of Hormuz should not create “new tensions and provocations”.

The agreement is seen as another sign of strengthening cooperation between the two regional powers.