Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdogan landed in the United Arab Emirates on Monday, official media said, on his first visit to the country since 2013, as the two countries patch strained ties strained by years of antagonism as they shift toward economic engagement. Erdogan was hailed by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, the Gulf state’s de facto ruler, who visited Ankara last November to seal billion-dollar investment agreements.
“We intend to build on the momentum we have established with the United Arab Emirates during this visit and to take the necessary steps to restore relations to the level they deserve,” Mr. Erdogan told reporters at Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport before departing.
Erdogan says that UAE and Turkey are critical for peace
During his first visit, the Turkey President has also addressed the media and said that “Turkey and United Arab Emirates’ conversation and collaboration are critical for the peace and stability of our entire region. Since Arab protests began a decade ago, the UAE and Turkey have battled for regional power, a rivalry that has seen them support opposing sides in Libya’s civil war and spilled over into issues ranging from the eastern Mediterranean to the Gulf.
The improving diplomatic relations come at a time when Turkey is experiencing economic difficulties and the UAE is pursuing a more emollient foreign policy motivated by economic interests. The two countries agreed last month to a nearly $5 billion currency swap in local currencies. Mr. Erdogan stated that during his visit, Turkey and the UAE would strive to expand bilateral trade and explore prospects within their economies’ “complementary frameworks.”
According to Turkish sources, the two countries are likely to officially begin trade negotiations and sign memorandums of understanding on a range of issues, including climate change, industry and advanced technology, health, and agriculture. Additionally, they are set to sign a letter of intent to initiate defense industry cooperation talks, as well as a memorandum of agreement on investment collaboration.
Turkey, which is at war with numerous regional nations as well as its Western allies over a variety of issues, launched a regional charm offensive last year, but its efforts with Egypt and Saudi Arabia have garnered little public benefit thus far.