Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is embarking on a visit of Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. This is seen in the context of enhancing Turkish-Gulf and Turkish-Arab relations in the post-regional normalisation stage between several countries. Some parties were waiting for the outcome of the recent Turkish presidential and parliamentary elections and have slowed down the pace of enhancing relations.
Some international powers were hoping for Erdoğan’s defeat to open a new chapter with Ankara based on their priorities and interests, particularly since the opposition had sent clear indications of its readiness to respond to these countries’ main concerns without any conditions. This impression may have also affected some countries in the Arab region, even if these countries did not publicly express it.
There is a significant opportunity this time to build more sustainable relationships which focus on the actual interests of both parties, without any exaggerations or political considerations as have occurred in the past. Undoubtedly, transferring bilateral relations to a new level on multiple fronts will be tested sooner or later by a series of challenges. At least, the Turkish side hopes to withstand them and become more mature and robust.
It remains important to note that the media often circulates exaggerated figures regarding Gulf activities in Türkiye or aspirations for increased economic and investment activity. Therefore, it is always essential to follow up on these figures and verify whether they will be achieved or not in the future.
[by Ali Bakir in Arabi21]
Compiled and translated by Faizul Haque