Turkey–United Arab Emirates relations

Turkey– United Arab Emirates relations

Turkey
United Arab Emirates

Turkey–United Arab Emirates relations are the diplomatic relations established between Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. Both countries share extensive cultural, military and economic ties, but relations have substantially deteriorated in recent years.[1]

Economic Relations

Turkey is recently one of the UAE's largest trading partners, with USD $9 billion in annual bilateral trade volume - triggering a rise of 800 percent in the last seven years;[2] 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.[3]

Emirati businessmen have been encouraged by multiple real estate agencies to invest in Turkey, as part of Turkey's ongoing privatization efforts.[4] In 2010, both sides pledged on improving commercial relations through common projects and convene officials in the future to determine possible areas of cooperation.[5]

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.

Diplomatic Relations

Relations deteriorated in December 2017, after 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 Nahyan 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."[6]

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.[7]

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".[8]

In May 2018, Gargash called for Arab countries to unite against rising Turkish and Iranian influence in the Middle East.[9]

Egyptian Crisis (2011-14)

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.[10]

2016 Turkish coup d'état attempt

The UAE has been accused 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.[11][12][13]

Qatar Diplomatic Crisis

The UAE has been critical of Turkey's backing of Qatar during the 2017–18 Qatar diplomatic crisis.[14]

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.[15]

The UAE has provided support for the Kurdish-dominated Syrian Democratic Forces, which fought against Turkish troops in northern Syria.[16][17] Turkey has accused the UAE of also supporting the Kurdistan Workers' Party in its conflict with the Turkish government.[18]

Yemeni Civil War

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".[19]

References

  1. ↑ "Turkey sees great progress in relations with UAE - World Bulletin".
  2. ↑ "Turkey, UAE to improve economic relations - Turkey Financial News". www.turkeyfinancial.com.
  3. ↑ "The official website of Etihad Airways, United Arab Emirates - Etihad Airways". Etihad Global.
  4. ↑ "Finance Minister invites UAE businessmen to Turkey - Turkey Financial News". www.turkeyfinancial.com.
  5. ↑ Turkey, UAE agree to cooperate on projects - Today's Zaman
  6. ↑ https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-emirates/in-first-remarks-since-retweet-feud-uae-diplomat-says-arabs-wont-be-led-by-turkey-idUSKBN1EL139
  7. ↑ https://www.dailysabah.com/diplomacy/2017/08/04/uae-doesnt-want-turkey-to-even-shape-a-dinner-menu-otaiba-says
  8. ↑ https://ca.reuters.com/article/topNews/idCAKCN1GM0DM-OCATP
  9. ↑ https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/gargash-calls-for-arab-unity-to-counter-iran-and-turkey-1.731702
  10. ↑ "ANALYSIS: Gulen becomes enemy of Gulf states, but Turkey-UAE rift endures".
  11. ↑ "Abu Dhabi links with Israel exposed in leaked emails". Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  12. ↑ "UAE allegedly funneled $3B to topple Erdoğan, Turkish government". Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  13. ↑ "UAE ambassador's hacked emails 'show' alleged role in Turkey coup". Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  14. ↑ https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/comment/2018/1/26/gcc-crisis-unresolved-tensions-plague-turkey-uae-relations
  15. ↑ https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-emirates/uae-criticizes-colonial-role-of-iran-turkey-in-syria-idUSKCN1B91NM
  16. ↑ "UAE, Kurds Standing against US, Turkey in Syria". Farsnews. 22 February 2017.
  17. ↑ "The U.S. bombing of Syria implicates many of Trump's business interests". Vox. 16 April 2018.
  18. ↑ "What does Afrin mean for international security?". Australian Strategic Policy Institute. 2 February 2018.
  19. ↑ https://www.dailysabah.com/diplomacy/2018/05/11/turkey-concerned-by-yemens-territorial-integrity-after-uaes-socotra-move
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