Link to article: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/2/14/erdogan-to-visit-uae-to-bolster-political-economic-ties
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has arrived in the United Arab Emirates for the first time in nearly a decade, as ties improve between the two countries. The Turkish news agency Anadolu reported on Monday that the two countries signed 13 agreements including on defence, trade, climate change, industry and the economy. At a news conference at the Ataturk Airport in Istanbul, President Erdogan said the visit hopes to shape the next 50 years of “friendship and brotherhood with the UAE”. For countless years, relations between these two countries have been strained as both countries backed opposing sides in regional conflicts and have previously sparred on other issues such as gas exploration in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Tensions eased tensions eased following Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed traveling to Ankara in November. Following that visit, the UAE announced a future $10B fund for investments in Turkey, where the economy has been at historical lows due to insanely high inflation rates. The visit from Erdogan comes following attacks on the UAE by Yemen’s Houthi Rebel group which has prompted increased defense cooperation with the United States and France. Erdogan has sought to improve Turkey’s ties with regional rivals due to isolation from Western powers, and their investors.
I believe that Turkey is making a smart move by attempting to make more friends in the Middle East. The neglect from the West and significant economic turmoil that the country has been dealing with can not be fixed simply by making allies, but it gives them another line of possible income due to the UAE’s wealth and energy possibilities. A further stabilization of the Middle East would probably be in just about everyone’s best interest, whether a regional country or a Western power. I would not be surprised to see the United States or another country attempt to get involved in one of these talks, if they have not already.
This pertains to what we are discussing in class as it discusses national interest and Turkey acting in their national interest to protect their economic future.