ANKARA, Feb. 5 (Xinhua) -- Türkiye and Saudi Arabia are entering a new and stronger phase of cooperation in defense and energy, the state-run TRT broadcaster quoted Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as saying on Thursday.
"We are signing significant defense industry cooperation agreements with Saudi Arabia, and we are determined to strengthen these ties further," Erdogan told journalists on the plane returning from his visit to Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
Türkiye's rapid progress in the defense industry has drawn growing international attention, including from Saudi Arabia, Erdogan said, noting that Türkiye's primary focus remains meeting its own defense needs, while also supporting friendly and allied nations through cooperation and technology sharing.
The Turkish leader said that the agreements signed during the visit demonstrate the growing strategic trust between Türkiye and Saudi Arabia, adding that cooperation in defense and energy will continue to expand in the coming period.
Erdogan arrived in Saudi Arabia's capital on Tuesday. The visit included the signing of a multi-billion-U.S.-dollar agreement to develop solar power projects in Türkiye with a total capacity of 5,000 megawatts. ■
