Saudi Prince appraises Turkey’s contribution to Middle Eastern stability
“Turkey approaches Arab World with clear motives, unlike Iran”
Saudi Prince Abdulaziz Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has hailed the role of Turkey as a partner to Saudi Arabia and a contributor to Middle Eastern stability, a role he said is very new, but nevertheless much and urgently needed.
“Turkey was not around until five or 10 years ago. … It just appeared out of nowhere, I think because it sees it should interfere when there is a problem,” Prince Abdulaziz told Today’s Zaman in an interview last week while he was visiting Turkey as the guest of an Ankara-based think tank, the Center for Middle Eastern Strategic Studies (ORSAM).
Explaining that he was in Turkey to strengthen the ties and boost the cultural connection between Saudi Arabia and Turkey, the prince welcomed Turkey’s return to the region. However, he noted that Turkey will have to build its existence one more time in the Middle East before Arab nations will be able to beat their prejudice and “understand the role of the country.”
“Some countries interfere whenever they want to, rather worse, impose decisions for their benefit,” said Prince Abdulaziz, relaying the Saudi foreign minister’s words in connection with Turkey’s fresh introduction back into the region as a contributor with no ulterior motives. “With Turkey, the best thing is they are clear what their motives are.”
Viewing Turkey’s position for stability in the region in a positive light, the prince stressed frequently that Turkey is a very welcome, needed actor in the region and “it is in our mutual interest that Turkey interferes and tries to solve problems in the Arab world.”
On top of conflict among the nations of the region, the whole of the Middle East as well as the North African region has been affected throughout the year by a revolutionary movement called the Arab Spring, or “an Islamic autumn,” as Prince Abdulaziz dubbed it, as the movement sparked a wave of a feuds between regimes and their people, resulting in thousands of lives lost and even more thrown into prison.
10.01.2012 – 11:30
SOURCE: HDN
