By Ahmet Gurhan Kartal
LONDON (AA) – Turkey expects cooperation from Saudi Arabia on the case of a prominent missing journalist, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Saturday.
Speaking with reporters at the Turkish Embassy Residence in London, Cavusoglu said there is a consensus on forming a joint working group with Saudi officials over the case of Jamal Khashoggi, who has not been seen since entering the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2.
His comments came on the first day of a three-day visit to London.
Earlier on Saturday, Cavusoglu gave a keynote speech in Bletchley Park at a Chatham House roundtable titled “Europe in a Changing World Order.” Regional developments were discussed during the meeting, he said.
Also speaking on Friday's release of American pastor Andrew Brunson, Cavusoglu said he was released as the judicial process on Brunson was completed.
Brunson, who had faced terrorism-related offense, on Friday was sentenced to just over three years in prison but was released due to time served and his good behavior while in custody.
Cavusoglu will meet British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt on Monday before ending his visit.
On the same day Khashoggi arrived at the consulate, 15 other Saudis, including several officials, arrived in Istanbul on two planes and visited the building while Khashoggi was also inside, police sources said. All of the identified individuals have since left Turkey.
Saudi authorities have yet to give a clear explanation of Khashoggi’s fate, while several countries — particularly Turkey, the U.S., and the U.K — are pressing the case to be cleared up as soon as possible.
*Diyar Guldogan contributed to this report from Ankara
