He graduated from Robert College in 1961 and Ankara University Faculty of Political Sciences in 1965.
For two years, Ziyal served in the Turkish military before returning to the Department of Cyprus-Greece, eventually becoming the second secretary during the period of peacemaking efforts in Cyprus.
He then served as second and first secretary to the Embassy of Turkey to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
In 1973, Ziyal became the chief of cabinet to Ümit Haluk Bayülken head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
[2] On 20 October 1998, Ziyal chaired the Turkish delegation and served as the signatory Adana Agreement signed with Syria.