RIYADH: Turkish Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Erdogan Kok said on Saturday that the two countries share similar viewpoints on several key regional issues, including a desire for greater international efforts to resolve the long-running conflicts in Syria and Yemen. “Turkey and the Kingdom have had common views and approaches toward such regional issues as the Syrian conflict, the situation in Yemen, and the Palestinian plight,” Kok said. He called for greater regional and international efforts to encourage negotiations between the warring factions in Yemen, noting that peace talks have not been revisited for more than a year. “Turkey supports the UN-led initiative for a political solution in Yemen,” he explained. The Turkish ambassador expressed his concerns over the Houthi rebels’ ballistic missile attacks on Saudi territory. “Needless to say, Turkey has strongly condemned every single one of these attacks,” Kok said, adding that Turkey supported the restoration of the legitimate government in Yemen, which is internationally recognized by the UN Security Council through Resolution No. 2216. Saudi Arabia leads the Arab coalition to restore the legitimate government to full control of Yemen. On Syria, the diplomat said, “Turkey and Saudi Arabia share the same objectives in the Syrian conflict, which has created significant political, security and humanitarian challenges and responsibilities.” Turkey’s policy is to preserve Syria’s territorial integrity and unity, end the bloodshed and resolve the conflict peacefully through the conclusion of a political transition that satisfies the legitimate demands of the Syrian people, he added.