Turkey and Saudi Arabia's Landmark Visa-Free Agreement

Turkey and Saudi Arabia plan to finalize an agreement eliminating visa requirements for their citizens, signifying improved diplomatic relations. This comes after a period of strained ties due to the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Foreign ministers will chair a meeting to sign the accord.

In a significant diplomatic advancement, Turkey and Saudi Arabia are set to finalize an agreement to abolish visa requirements for their citizens during upcoming talks in Ankara. This plan was confirmed by a Turkish diplomatic source on Tuesday.

Relations between the two nations soured after the 2018 murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. However, both countries have been working since 2020 to improve ties. The pending agreement, anticipated to be signed by Foreign Ministers Hakan Fidan and Prince Faisal bin Farhan, will apply to ordinary and diplomatic passport holders.

This cooperation symbolizes a broader reconciliation effort in the region. The renewed diplomacy follows Turkey's decision to retract accusations against Saudi state involvement in Khashoggi's death. Ankara continues to advocate for regional cooperation in resolving Middle East tensions, aiming to prevent further provocations around the Strait of Hormuz.