Maduro says visit to Turkey, Saudi Arabia successful

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
7 Jun 2023 09:14

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro reveals that his trip to Turkey and Saudi Arabia were a success in terms of the enhancement of diplomatic ties.

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro walks past after attending the South American Summit at Itamaraty palace in Brasilia, Brazil, May 30, 2023 (AP)

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro revealed Tuesday that he succeeded in boosting his country's bilateral relations with Saudi Arabia and Turkey during his visit to both countries.

"Our international agenda in friendly countries - in Turkey and Saudi Arabia - has been successful. It has allowed us to establish strong bridges of mutual support and exchange in strategic industries," Maduro wrote on Twitter.

Maduro attended the inauguration of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan before heading on to Saudi Arabia, where he met with the kingdom's Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman.

The inauguration took place in parliament where his supporters applauded and cheered for the country's longest-serving leader while opposition lawmakers remained seated and silent.

Among the world leaders that attended were Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev, Iran's vice president Mohammad Mokhber, Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban, and the speaker of the lower house of Russia's parliament, Vyacheslav Volodin among many other guests, including Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

Maduro arrived in the capital on Monday and was received by the Deputy Governor of Makkah, Prince Badr bin Sultan, then met Bin Salman on Tuesday morning, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Venezuela's Foreign Minister Yvan Gil Pinto met his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan on Monday. They discussed bilateral cooperation on strategies to achieve "international peace, security, and global sustainable development goals," SPA reported.

The region witnessed a new wave of rapprochement between states, starting with KSA and Iran, then Syria, while Iran strengthens ties with China and Russia.

It is worth noting that Maduro's visit comes a day before US Secretary of State Antony Blinken lands in Saudi Arabia for talks with the Saudi leadership. Blinken is expected to attend the US-Saudi Strategic dialogue and a GCC meeting.