AHMED MURAD (CAIRO) - A solid friendship, strong relations, mutual interests, and a constructive partnership link the UAE and the Republic of Türkiye, with a partnership stemming from a genuine and sincere desire from the leadership of both countries to elevate bilateral relations in a variety of fields for a future of stability and prosperity for the Emirati and Turkish peoples and all in the region.
Emirati-Turkish cooperation forms a fundamental pillar for the security and stability of the region and the world, as the two share many agreements and similar positions towards various regional and international issues and events. Aletihad spoke with a number of diplomats and international relations experts, who confirmed that the UAE and Türkiye work to enhance regional and global efforts to find peaceful alternatives to enhance security and stability by resolving disputes and conflicts peacefully, through diplomatic mechanisms.
Peaceful Mechanisms
In an interview with Aletihad, Turkish diplomat Fikret Özer praised the growing development of Emirati-Turkish cooperation in recent years, especially in terms of regional and global efforts to peacefully resolve conflicts through diplomatic mechanisms such as negotiations, talks, and consultations. This establishes a solid foundation that consolidates the security and stability of the Middle East, and more broadly, the world.
Özer told Aletihad that there is an agreement between the UAE and Türkiye on the importance of peaceful and diplomatic alternatives that are capable of resolving disputes and conflicts, which ensures the preservation of security, peace, and stability, at both the regional or international levels. The UAE and Türkiye have taken many similar positions that confirm their common desire to strengthen the pillars of peace, security, stability, development, and prosperity in the region and the world.
Together, Abu Dhabi and Ankara seek to establish a model of cooperation and partnership based on supporting regional peace and stability efforts and building a better future for the current and future generations, in addition to consolidating constructive cooperation to solve various challenges through peaceful means.
Agreements and Understandings
The Turkish diplomat stated that the UAE and Türkiye have shared political, diplomatic, and economic relations for over four decades. The two countries are linked by many agreements, understandings, and common positions, which makes them an important axis for regional and global security and stability, based on their pivotal role in various regional and international issues and their strorelations with the major global powers.
The UAE and Türkiye established diplomatic relations in 1979 when Ankara opened its embassy in Abu Dhabi. Several years later in 1983, the UAE opened its embassy in the Turkish capital, Ankara. Over the past 40 years, UAE-Turkish relations have developed significantly through various steps that have strengthened the ties between the two countries, the most prominent of which was the formation of joint cooperation, economic, and political consultation committees in November 2010.
Dr. Mukhtar Ghabashi, Deputy Director of the Al Ahram Centre for Political and Strategic Studies in Cairo, explained that Emirati-Turkish cooperation is based on several solid pillars, primarily consultations and joint talks to address regional and global crises through diplomatic solutions, away from armed conflicts that result in thousands of civilian casualties and significant economic losses.
“There is common ground between Abu Dhabi and Ankara, supported and reinforced by the consensus in views towards various events and issues, which is clearly seen in the two countries’ efforts to support peaceful solutions aimed at enhancing security, peace, and stability in the region and the world. This was evident in their efforts to resolve the Ukrainian crisis peacefully and their efforts to restore stability and security in the region. Over the past two years, the UAE and Türkiye have called through various joint statements for enhancing regional and global cooperation to consolidate the pillars of security and stability in the region and the world, while advancing development paths to meet the aspirations of their peoples for progress and prosperity. At the same time, the two countries affirm their joint efforts to establish a sustainable model of fruitful partnership that serves the interests of their peoples, as well as the peoples of the region and the world,” Ghabashi told Aletihad.
Dr. Mohammed Sadiq Ismail, Professor of Political Science, explained that the UAE and Türkiye are among the most important elements of power and influence in the region and the world, with many converging views. They work together to establish an atmosphere of peace, stability, and prosperity through an active foreign policy, he said. Their role has emerged over the past two years in supporting the international community’s efforts to resolve ongoing conflicts through peaceful means.
They have led many mediation and peace initiatives, such as their mediation to resolve the Ukrainian crisis. In a statement to Aletihad, Ismail said that the UAE and Türkiye are keen to coordinate their joint positions towards regional issues, and share a commitment to play a leading and effective role in supporting regional and international stability and peace.
Dr. Karam Saeed, a researcher specialising in Turkish affairs at the Al Ahram Centre for Political and Strategic Studies, said that the relations between the UAE and Türkiye are particularly important in the current period for several reasons, including Emirati-Turkish coordination to address regional issues.
In a statement to Aletihad, Saeed said that the depth of Turkish-Emirati relations greatly contributes to strengthening economic and trade relations, not only bilaterally, but also regionally.
Bilateral relations now represents an important factor in delivering humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, Saeed added, noting that there is current coordination between the two countries as well as other states in the region to push for a resolution to the Palestinian issue, reach a two-state solution, and achieve a comprehensive peace, he said. Pushing ties forward returns security and stability to the Arab region and the Middle East, he noted, adding: “As relations between the countries of the region, especially the UAE and Türkiye, develop, it is mainly reflected in the stability of societies and the well-being of citizens.”
Saeed said that he expects Emirati-Turkish relations to witness more openness in the next stage, in light of the keenness of both countries to raise relations to broader horizons.
Diplomatic Relations
Dr. Amr El-Deeb, a professor at the Institute of International Relations and Global History at Lobachevsky University in Russia, said that the UAE is a country that seeks to develop relations with all countries, including Türkiye, as an important nation in the region. El-Deeb noted that Türkiye is a NATO member with a large population, making the strengthening of bilateral relations an effort that is in the best interest of both countries.
In a statement to Aletihad, El-Deeb said that the Middle East region is going through a very difficult period, and strengthening and developing Emirati-Turkish ties will play a significant role in facing regional and global challenges. He stressed that the role of the two countries cannot be ignored, adding that the UAE has genuine aspirations and a clear role in this direction.
El-Deeb stressed that having trade cooperation with a country as large as the UAE is important for Türkiye economically, adding that the development of diplomatic, political, economic, and trade relations will provide promising opportunities for both economies.
Türkiye is keen to strengthen its relations with the UAE given its advanced economy and standing trade relations with many countries in spite of global crises.
Development Cooperation
Deputy President of the Egyptian-African Association, Ambassador Salah Halima, said that the UAE and Türkiye are forces of peace in the Middle East, with a significant impact on regional and international events, not only in terms of security and political matters, but also in development and sustainable growth.
They have made contributions in regional and international issues, both politically and economically. Ambassador Halima told Aletihad that the developing relations between the UAE and Türkiye contribute to security and stability, and enhance development process for both countries.
He referred to the coordination, consultation, and increasing bilateral relations, as well as those between the two countries and other countries in the Middle East. Ambassador Halima confirmed that the positive relations between the UAE and Türkiye are reflected on the populations of both countries, as well as those of the region, adding that Emirati-
Turkish ties enhance security, and further the development and peace processes, two important elements for the region at present.
Both countries have a significant impact in the region, and therefore can be success factors in peace movements, and keys to development and security through joint cooperation with other influential countries in the region, the Ambassador said.