Erdogan visits UAE, 13 agreements signed

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan meets with the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan during an official ceremony in Abu Dhabi.

Turkish President Recep  Tayyip Erdogan arrived in the United Arab Emirates yesterday on the first such visit since 2013, as the two countries mend ties strained by years of animosity in a pivot toward economic partnership. Turkish news agency Anadolu reported later that the two countries had signed 13 agreements including on defence, trade, climate change, industry and the economy. Turkish sources had said they were expected to agree to officially begin negotiations for a trade and economic agreement, as well as sign a letter of intent to start meetings on co-operation in the defence industry. Erdogan was greeted by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, who visited Ankara last November when investment accords worth billions of dollars were signed. “During this visit, we aim to develop the momentum we have captured with the United Arab Emirates and to take the necessary steps for ties to go back to the level they deserve,” Erdogan told reporters at Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport before he departed. “The dialogue and co-operation of Turkey and the United Arab Emirates carries great importance for the peace and stability of our entire region,” he added. Last month the two countries agreed on a nearly $5bn swap deal in local currencies. Erdogan said that during his visit Turkey and the UAE would seek to boost bilateral trade and seek opportunities in “the complementary structures of the two countries’ economies”. The Turkish president’s UAE visit is his first since 2013, when he was prime minister, and his first as head of state. To greet Erdogan on his trip — which will take him to the Expo 2020 Dubai world fair today — the host country lit up the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa, in the red and white of the Turkish flag. Edogan and Sheikh Mohamed discussed opportunities for co-operation, particularly in the economic and development fields, and the latest regional developments, said the official WAM news agency. The crown prince said the UAE was keen to co-operate with Turkey “to confront a number of common challenges that the region is witnessing” through dialogue and diplomatic resolve. Erdogan said in a weekend op-ed in the Emirati English-language daily Khaleej Times that “Turkey and the UAE together can contribute to regional peace, stability and prosperity”. UAE Economy Minister Abdulla bin Touq al-Marri said his country considered economic co-operation in various areas, including defence, an integral part of its strategy and vision of the future.