بالفيديو | الإمارات وتركيا.. روابط متينة عززتها 5 قمم خلال عامين

The relations of the two countries are based on solid foundations of mutual understanding, respect, and the promotion of joint cooperation in various fields. It also enjoys great support from the leadership in order to consolidate it to include all areas of cooperation and contribute to achieving peace and stability, as the mutual visits between the leaderships of the two countries reflect that sincere desire to deepen cooperation.

The historic visit of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God rest his soul, to Turkey in 1984 formed a strong basis for cooperation, a starting point for strengthening cooperation, and a real breakthrough towards broad horizons of distinguished relations.

The UAE and Turkey strengthened their friendly relations and comprehensive partnership, through 5 summits and meetings that brought together during the past two years, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, may God protect him, and the Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose last visit to the country, and his meeting with His Highness the President State, Fifth Summit.

The first was in November of 2021, the second in February of 2022, while the third summit was held via video conference in March 2023, the fourth in June 2023, and the fifth summit was held on July 20, 2023, where it was confirmed The leadership of the two countries has always stressed the importance of strengthening the comprehensive partnership, given its significant impact on enhancing opportunities for prosperity and achieving peace and stability for their people, and for the region in general. Strong ties

His Highness the President always emphasizes the strong historical relations that bring the two countries together and are developing effectively and dynamically at all levels. His Highness said that the UAE considers Turkey an essential partner, and has a strategic direction to push relations with it to higher levels, especially in the fields of trade, technology, energy and security. Nutritional.

His Highness pointed out that the volume of non-oil trade between the two countries increased by 40% during the past year, noting that the comprehensive economic partnership agreement that the two countries signed last March will strengthen the course of economic and investment relations, and raise the value of trade to more than 40 billion dollars annually. , within 5 years.

His Highness said that there are positive transformations taking place in the region, and it is important to build on them, encourage them, and push them forward. In this context, His Highness expressed that the UAE welcomes the agreement between the Arab Republic of Egypt and Turkey, which took place recently, to raise the level of diplomatic relations to the level of ambassadors, stressing that this is a step. It is important for the entire region, and the UAE is a fundamental supporter of any step that enhances the causes of peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world.

As for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, he pointed out that relations between the Emirates and Turkey have witnessed during the last period growth and development at all levels, expressing his country’s keenness to strengthen its relations with the Emirates, especially economic and investment, in a way that raises the volume of trade exchange between them to levels that keep pace with their aspirations and visions. Towards development and prosperity for their people.

agreement

The UAE and Turkey enjoy close trade and investment relations thanks to the shared desire of the leadership of the two friendly countries to advance these relations to a broader level. Last March, the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement was signed between them, during a presidential summit via video communication technology, held by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed. May God protect him and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. This agreement was officially ratified by the governments of the two countries in preparation for its activation and entry into force.

The agreement inaugurated a new era of partnership and economic integration, starting from a solid base of close trade and investment relations, as intra-oil non-oil trade increased by 40% to reach a value of $18.9 billion in 2022, making Turkey one of the UAE’s 10 largest trading partners around the world. With a share of more than 3% of the country’s non-oil foreign trade.

The total volume of UAE investments in Turkey reached about $7.8 billion at the end of 2021 in various sectors, including financial services, real estate, transportation, renewable energy, ports, and logistics services.

Once the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement enters into force, customs duties on 82% of products and goods will be canceled or reduced, representing more than 93% of the value of non-oil bilateral trade, in addition to removing unnecessary barriers to trade, and creating new paths for international flows. Foreign direct investment, bilateral, and enhancing market access for local exporters, including key sectors, such as construction, mineral products, polymers and other industrial products.

The economic partnership agreement between the UAE and Turkey aims to increase bilateral non-oil trade from its current value of $18.9 billion to more than $40 billion annually, within 5 years, and to increase UAE exports to Turkey by 21.7% and increase investment flows in key sectors. The agreement is expected to provide 25,000 new job opportunities by 2031.

Regional prosperity

The two countries play a pivotal role in facilitating the flow of international trade as they are among the most vital economies, thus enhancing regional progress and prosperity in light of the development of joint economic relations that have witnessed the establishment of investment funds worth billions of dollars, in addition to the partnership to support the development of emerging e-commerce.

The comprehensive economic partnership agreement between the UAE and Turkey opens new paths for exporters of goods and services to the markets of the two countries and the region, and launches a cooperation and partnership platform between small and medium-sized companies and entrepreneurs in the two countries, putting the region at the heart of the international trade movement and on the map of new centers of global growth.

Among the most prominent leading Emirati companies investing in Turkey are ADQ Holding, Emirates NBD, Emaar Properties, International Holding, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, and Mubadala.

His Highness the President, may God protect him, and the Turkish President witnessed the announcement of a joint agreement to establish a “supreme strategic committee between the two countries.” His Highness and the Turkish President also witnessed the exchange of memorandums of understanding and agreements worth $50.7 billion, aiming to diversify the areas of comprehensive strategic partnership.

The agreements signed between the two countries included an agreement between the governments of the Emirates and Turkey regarding the encouragement and mutual protection of investments, legal and judicial cooperation in civil and commercial matters, and an extradition agreement. It also included an agreement on legal and judicial cooperation in civil and commercial matters, a legal agreement in criminal matters, and a joint declaration to establish a committee. A joint economic and trade agreement, and a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of digital transformation, in addition to a framework agreement for a strategic partnership between the Ministry of Investment in the Emirates and the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Natural Resources in Turkey.

The agreements also included a memorandum on cooperation in developing the capabilities of joint launch vehicles for commercial purposes, between the UAE Space Agency, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Industry of the Republic of Turkey, and the Turkish Space Agency, a memorandum of understanding between the Emirates Council for Overseas Investors and the Investment Office of the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey, and a memorandum of understanding on… Strategic cooperation in the field of defense industries between the Emirates Balance Council and the Defense Industries Agency in Turkey.

It also included a memorandum of understanding on financing export credit between Abu Dhabi Holding Company and the Turkish Exim Bank, a memorandum of understanding for financing through financial instruments for earthquake relief between Abu Dhabi Holding Company and the Turkish Ministry of Finance and Treasury, and a memorandum of understanding between the Abu Dhabi Investment Office and the Investment Office of the Turkish Presidency.

Within the strategic agreements and memorandums of understanding exchanged by a number of entities in the UAE and the Republic of Turkey, the Ministry of Investment in the UAE and the Turkish Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources signed a strategic partnership agreement that allows Emirati companies and investors to implement investments and projects within the framework of ambitious plans undertaken by Turkey in the field of energy transformation. These investments include projects in the field of renewable energy, green hydrogen and ammonia, hydroelectric power plants, transportation projects, battery storage, cooperation in the field of nuclear energy, and emerging technologies, in addition to the use and storage of hydrogen and carbon.

Economic cooperation

The economic aspect constitutes one of the most prominent pillars of the growing cooperation between the two countries, as the beginning of the strong economic relations between the Emirates and Turkey goes back to the founding of the Union and has continued to develop and grow over the years.

In 1984, the two countries signed the Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement, followed by several agreements that strengthened trade cooperation between the two countries.

In November 2021, the UAE announced the establishment of an investment fund worth 10 billion US dollars in Turkey, focusing on strategic investments, primarily the logistics sectors, including energy, health and food.

Energy transformation

The UAE and Turkey have made great leaps in the field of energy transformation during the last decade, and they are continuing their efforts in this context to confront the repercussions of climate change. The coming period is likely to witness more cooperation between the two countries in the field of energy technology, green hydrogen, solar energy, and others.

The UAE recently adopted a national hydrogen strategy that aims to consolidate the country’s position as a producer and exporter of low-emission hydrogen over the next eight years, through developing supply chains and establishing hydrogen oases to develop this industry.

Turkey has witnessed great diversification in its energy mix in the past decade, and renewable energy has achieved amazing growth.

“The gallant knight”

Operation “Gallant Knight 2,” launched by the UAE following the earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria on February 6, embodied the depth and strength of Emirati-Turkish relations. The UAE operated 260 flights, saved dozens of people, and provided humanitarian aid exceeding 15,000 tons to confront the repercussions of the earthquake. 8,252 tons of aid were transported using 4 cargo ships.

The UAE responded immediately to the call of humanitarian duty after the devastating earthquake, affirming its full solidarity with the leadership and people of the two countries. The UAE’s urgent action, and its presence among the first countries on the ground and its participation in rescue operations, constituted a clear embodiment of its humanitarian presence and permanent solidarity with such events, and the relief operation continued. More than 5 months.

Inspiring cultural history and literary traditions

Cultural relations between the UAE and Turkey derive their strength from a rich and inspiring cultural history and literary traditions. To strengthen these relations, the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding in February 2022 regarding cooperation in the cultural field.

The two countries have recently witnessed growing cultural cooperation, expressed by the participation of Turkey, guest of honor at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2023, and the remarkable Turkish presence during the “Expo 2020 Dubai” activities, in addition to the participation of the Emirates Publishers Association in the Istanbul International Arab Book Fair, last October, and presented During which 284 titles were published by 31 Emirati publishing houses.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan awarded President Recep Tayyip Erdogan the “Zayed Medal,” which is the highest award granted by the UAE to the leaders, kings, and presidents of countries, in appreciation of the efforts he made in strengthening the friendly relations and bilateral cooperation between the two countries, and making them flourish at all levels. .

The Turkish President expressed his thanks and appreciation to His Highness the President of the State, and his happiness and pride in this medal, which bears the name of a global humanitarian figure, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God have mercy on him, who enjoys the respect of the peoples of the world and their love for the valuable legacy he left behind, which was firmly established. Bridges of friendship, cooperation and peace with various countries.

For his part, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed said that awarding the Turkish President the “Zayed Medal” is “an expression of our thanks and appreciation for the exceptional efforts he has made in developing the deep-rooted historical friendship and joint cooperation between our two friendly countries, and the personal appreciation, affection and respect we have for His Excellency.” .