Türkiye, Saudi resolve transit visa issue after decade-long blockade

A decade‑long obstacle to Turkish overland trade with the Gulf has been removed, with Saudi Arabia granting transit visas for Turkish commercial drivers. Trade Minister Ömer Bolat announced the resolution at an e‑commerce summit in Istanbul on Friday, noting that the visa issue had persisted for ten years but was finally settled as of Thursday. “Türkiye and Saudi Arabia’s relations are excellent,” Bolat said, adding that the new arrangement will allow Turkish trucks to travel across the Gulf region.

Strategic Timing amid Maritime Paralysis

The breakthrough comes at a critical moment, as the ongoing US‑Israeli war with Iran has effectively shut down maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most vital oil and LNG chokepoint. With sea routes blocked, land logistics through Türkiye have become indispensable for maintaining supply chains between Europe and the Gulf. Bolat noted that Ankara hopes the current 15‑day ceasefire will evolve into permanent stability, as the global economy urgently needs peace to prevent further shocks and prolonged price hikes.

Economic Confidence and New Opportunities

Bolat also highlighted that Türkiye’s e‑commerce sector has grown from 5% to 20% of total trade, making Turkish firms attractive targets for international investors seeking a stable bridge between Western and Chinese markets. He pointed to recent high‑level meetings in Portugal and Brussels as evidence of growing confidence in the Turkish economy, and noted that Portuguese authorities are actively inviting Turkish contractors to bid on €60 billion in infrastructure and housing projects. The EU, he added, is increasingly eager to form alliances with Türkiye’s rapidly expanding defence industry.