Turkey–United Arab Emirates relations

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Turkey– United Arab Emirates relations
Map indicating locations of Turkey and United Arab Emirates

Turkey
United Arab Emirates

Turkey and the United Arab Emirates share extensive cultural, military and economic ties, but relations have substantially deteriorated since Arab Spring, however, relations did start to recover in recent years.[1][2]

Economic relations

Turkey is one of the UAE's largest trading partners, with US$9 billion in annual bilateral trade volume - triggering a rise of 800 percent in the last seven years;[3] the year of 2008 saw foreign trade figures reveal Turkey as one of the UAE's top 10 biggest suppliers while over the past five years (2004-2008), UAE's exports to Turkey have increased six-fold. In an attempt to enhance tourism bonds, the UAE launched new Etihad Airways flights to Istanbul in 2009, serving the city four times a week.[4]

Emirati businessmen have been encouraged by multiple real estate agencies to invest in Turkey, as part of Turkey's ongoing privatization efforts.[5] In 2010, both sides pledged on improving commercial relations through common projects and convene officials in the future to determine possible areas of cooperation.[6]

There is considerable Turkish presence in the UAE including Turkish construction companies which have put their signature on many developments in the region. In addition, there is a small community of Turks in the United Arab Emirates. According to the Turkish embassy, the number of Turkish companies established in the UAE is over 400, with 75 of those operating in and around Abu Dhabi.

On 24 November 2021, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates signed accords on energy and technology investments after talks between President Tayyip Erdogan and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan in Ankara.[7]

Diplomatic relations

In May 2017, the UAE's Ambassador to the United States, Yousef Al Otaiba described Turkey under Erdoğan as a "long-term threat" to both the UAE and the United States.[8]

In December 2017, the UAE's foreign minister, Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, shared a tweet that claimed an Ottoman general had robbed Medina during Ottoman rule. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan responded by describing him as an "impertinent man" who was "spoiled by oil". Emirati diplomat Anwar Gargash then stated, "The sectarian and partisan view is not an acceptable alternative, and the Arab world will not be led by Tehran or Ankara."[9]

In March 2018, Gargash stated that relations between the countries "aren’t in their best state" and called on Turkey to "respect Arab sovereignty and deal with its neighbors with wisdom and rationality".[10]

In May 2018, Gargash called for Arab countries to unite against rising Turkish and Iranian influence in the Middle East.[11]

Egyptian Crisis (2011–14)

Main article: Egyptian Crisis (2011–2014)

The diplomatic relations between the two countries have soured over differing attitudes to the Egyptian crisis and its aftermath, with Turkey backing the Muslim Brotherhood of Egypt and the UAE supporting military rule under President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.[12]

2016 Turkish coup d'état attempt

Main article: 2016 Turkish coup d'état attempt

Turkey accused UAE of supporting the 2016 Turkish coup d'état attempt, with a series of leaked emails in June 2017 by Otaiba lending credence to this allegation.[13][14][15]

Qatar diplomatic crisis

Main article: 2017–18 Qatar diplomatic crisis

The UAE has been critical of Turkey's backing of Qatar during the 2017–18 Qatar diplomatic crisis.[16]

Syrian Civil War

Main article: Syrian Civil War

In August 2017, the UAE accused Turkey of "colonial and competitive behavior" by "trying to reduce the sovereignty of the Syrian state" through its military presence in Syria.[17]

The UAE has provided support for the Kurdish-dominated Syrian Democratic Forces, which fought against Turkish troops in northern Syria.[18][19] Turkey has accused the UAE of also supporting the Kurdistan Workers' Party in its conflict with the Turkish government.[20]

Yemeni Civil War

Main article: Yemeni Civil War (2015-present)

In May 2018, Turkey expressed concern towards the deployment of Emirati troops in Socotra without the Yemeni government being informed beforehand, claiming it presents "a new threat to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Yemen".[21]

Armenian genocide and UAE's cooperation with Armenia

In 2019, the United Arab Emirates' leadership announced it would begin the formal process to recognize the Armenian genocide.[22] Emirate of Abu Dhabi had become the first emirate to recognize the genocide in April 2019.[23]

In February 2020, Armenia's Minister of High-Tech Industry Hakob Arshakyan led a delegation to the UMEX and SimTEX 2020 exhibitions in Abu Dhabi. Mohammed Ahmed Al-Bowardi, the Minister of State for Defense of the UAE met with Arshakyan, and they discussed strengthening cooperation in both countries' military industries and defence sectors.[24] Later, when the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict erupted, the United Arab Emirates-based Al Arabiya channel openly broadcast Armenian President Armen Sargsyan's speech blasting Turkey and Azerbaijan for the war.[25]

Abraham Accords

Main article: Israel–United Arab Emirates accord

Turkey condemned the establishment of diplomatic relations between Israel and UAE.[26] The Turkish government threatened to suspend diplomatic relations and recall its ambassador from Abu Dhabi over the Israel-UAE agreement.[27]

Reconciliation

Turkey and the UAE reconciliation efforts started to make progress in 2021 with the visit of UAE Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed to Turkey.[28][29] Erdogan visited Abu Dhabi in 2022 to meet UAE Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed and signing currency swap and trade agreements between the two countries.[30] Erdogan's visit was welcomed in a big ceremony to show a shift in the relations in a positive direction.[31] During the 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquakes, amongst the Gulf Cooperation Council members, UAE assisted Turkey the most in earthquake relief aid efforts.[32][33][34] The significant role of the Emirates during the earthquakes has played a role on improvement of relations between the two nations.[35][36]

Resident diplomatic missions

  • Turkey has an embassy in Abu Dhabi and a consulate-general in Dubai.
  • United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Ankara and a consulate-general in Istanbul.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Turkey sees great progress in relations with UAE - World Bulletin". World Bulletin / News from Turkey and Islamic World.
  2. ^ "Turkey, UAE boost strained ties with 13 deals during Erdoğan's visit". Daily Sabah. 14 February 2022.
  3. ^ "Turkey, UAE to improve economic relations - Turkey Financial News". www.turkeyfinancial.com.
  4. ^ "The official website of Etihad Airways, United Arab Emirates - Etihad Airways". Etihad Global.
  5. ^ "Finance Minister invites UAE businessmen to Turkey - Turkey Financial News". www.turkeyfinancial.com.
  6. ^ "Turkey, UAE agree to cooperate on projects - Today's Zaman". Archived from the original on 2017-09-08. Retrieved 2010-07-15.
  7. ^ "Turkey, UAE sign financial cooperation deals as ties warm". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2021-11-24.
  8. ^ "UAE doesn't want Turkey to even shape a dinner menu, Otaiba says". Daily Sabah. 4 August 2017.
  9. ^ "In first remarks since retweet feud, UAE diplomat says Arabs won't be led by Turkey". Reuters. 27 December 2017.
  10. ^ "Senior UAE official says Turkey-Arab relations 'not in best state'". Reuters. 10 March 2018.
  11. ^ "Gargash calls for Arab unity to counter Iran and Turkey". 19 May 2018.
  12. ^ "ANALYSIS: Gulen becomes enemy of Gulf states, but Turkey-UAE rift endures".
  13. ^ "Abu Dhabi links with Israel exposed in leaked emails". Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  14. ^ "UAE allegedly funneled $3B to topple Erdoğan, Turkish government". Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  15. ^ "UAE ambassador's hacked emails 'show' alleged role in Turkey coup". Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  16. ^ "GCC crisis: Unresolved tensions plague Turkey-UAE relations". 19 January 2018.
  17. ^ "UAE criticizes 'colonial' role of Iran, Turkey in Syria". Reuters. 29 August 2017.
  18. ^ "UAE, Kurds Standing against US, Turkey in Syria". Farsnews. 22 February 2017.
  19. ^ "The U.S. bombing of Syria implicates many of Trump's business interests". Vox. 16 April 2018.
  20. ^ "What does Afrin mean for international security?". Australian Strategic Policy Institute. 2 February 2018.
  21. ^ "Turkey concerned by Yemen's territorial integrity after UAE's Socotra move". Daily Sabah. 11 May 2018.
  22. ^ "UAE also will recognize of the Armenian genocide in April - ANHA | HAWARNEWS | English". hawarnews.com.
  23. ^ "UNITED ARAB EMIRATES : Abu Dhabi to recognise Armenian genocide - Issue 824 dated 20/02/2019". Intelligence Online. February 20, 2019.
  24. ^ "UAE, Armenia discuss development of ties in defense industry".
  25. ^ "Turkish claims of PKK fighters in Armenia absolute nonsense: Armen Sarkissian". 30 September 2020.
  26. ^ "Turkey slams UAE for 'hypocritical behaviour' over Israel deal".
  27. ^ "Turkey threatens to suspend UAE ties over deal with Israel". The Guardian. 14 August 2020.
  28. ^ "Erdogan says Turkish contacts with UAE have made progress". Reuters. 18 August 2021.
  29. ^ "Turkey, UAE sign series of cooperation agreements". Anadolu Agency. 24 November 2021.
  30. ^ "UAE-Turkey reconciliation continues with trade agreement - Al-Monitor: Independent, trusted coverage of the Middle East". 20 May 2022.
  31. ^ "Erdogan's celebrity welcome in the UAE affirms a sea-change in relations, lifeline for Turkey's economy". CNBC. 27 February 2022.
  32. ^ "UAE to allocate $100 mln for earthquake relief efforts in Syria, Turkey - WAM". Reuters. 7 February 2023.
  33. ^ "UAE pledges $114.6 million, leads GCC nations in Turkey earthquake relief aid efforts". Khaleej Times. 15 February 2023.
  34. ^ "UAE opens largest field hospital in earthquake-hit Turkey". Al Arabiya. 14 February 2023.
  35. ^ "Turkey will never forget the friendship extended by UAE: Erdogan". Gulf News. 14 February 2023.
  36. ^ "Turkey, UAE ink free trade deal in latest thaw". Al-Monitor. 14 February 2023.
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