(Zaman) - Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al Suud met Tuesday evening in Ankara for a dinner held in the Saudi king's honor at which the ongoing attacks on Lebanon were discussed.
President Sezer expressed his pleasure with hosting King Abdullah, who is the first Saudi King to pay an official visit to Turkey since the foundation of the Saudi state in 1932, reports Trend.
Sezer stressed the importance of the Kings visit in view of the current sensitive period in the Middle East, in addition to its historical and political implications.
"The 50-year old conflict in the region still needs a comprehensive and fair solution. There is an urgent need for a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian problem," Sezer said.
Turkey puts great importance to the visit since it will be a turning point in the relations between Turkey and the Arab world. It is a major step in bilateral relations between the two countries.
Sezer also asked the support of Saudi King in lifting the embargo on Turkish Cypriots.
Saudi King Abdullah, for his part, singled out the deep rooted relations between the two countries, pointing to a common faith, common history and common tradition that shaped the privileged and special relations between Turkey and Saudi Arabia.
Abdullah said that the "wise" Turkish stance on the Lebanon crisis was in line with the stance of the Saudi Kingdom. "We also seek a solution to the Palestinian problem," he said.
King Abdullah said that the Middle East should be free of nuclear weapons. Like you, we also believe in the reconciliation of civilizations."
King Abdullah later invited President Ahmet Necdet Sezer to his country.
After dinner, the ministers of the two countries in appropriate areas signed 6 agreements to boost relations and to deepen bilateral ties.