Holding a press conference in Istanbul before leaving for the UAE, Erdoğan said: “Dialogue and cooperation between Türkiye and the United Arab Emirates are important for the peace and stability of our entire region. We do not consider the security and stability of all the brotherly countries in the Gulf region to be separate from our own.”

“We do not consider the security and stability of all the brotherly countries in the Gulf region to be separate from our own”

Noting that a new era had begun in Türkiye-UAE relations following Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s visit to Ankara in November, Erdoğan said: “With this visit, we aim to take the necessary steps that will allow our relations to gain even more momentum and once again reach the level that our relations deserve. During my visit, we will take the steps that will shape the next 50 years of our friendship and brotherhood with the United Arab Emirates as it observes the 50th anniversary of its founding. Dialogue and cooperation between Türkiye and the United Arab Emirates are important for the peace and stability of our entire region. We do not consider the security and stability of all the brotherly countries in the Gulf region to be separate from our own.”

“With our nearly $8 billion bilateral trade volume, the UAE is one of our leading trade partners”

Strongly condemning the last month’s attacks against Abu Dhabi, Erdoğan said: “We are against terrorism in all its kinds, and we emphasize on all occasions the importance of regional countries’ cooperation against terror.”

Noting that regional and international developments were also on the agenda of the talks to be held during the visit, Erdoğan said: “With our nearly-$8 billion bilateral trade volume, including $5.5 billion exports from Türkiye, the UAE is one of our leading trade partners. Turkish construction companies have so far undertaken 141 projects worth $13 billion in the UAE. Given these numbers, the UAE is the 10th largest market for our overseas construction industry. The UAE, too, contributes significantly to the dynamic investment climate in Türkiye. The complementary nature of our two countries’ economies indicates, in fact, a potential far beyond the present figures. The objective of our visit is to quickly realize this potential. With the talks, we will hold and the agreements we will sign, I believe we will make great progress in this direction. With this aim, I will also meet with the leading investors in the Emirates. Establishing partnerships in the context of high-tech, venture capital, start-up companies stand out as potential future opportunities for cooperation. We also aim to take steps that will advance our relations in countless areas ranging from transportation to advanced technologies, from the defense industry to healthcare, from agriculture to culture and education.”

“Dubai is successfully hosting the EXPO despite pandemic conditions. I will also pay a visit to the expo on February 15, which was designated to be Türkiye’s National Day,” Erdoğan said.

President Erdoğan also answered reporters’ questions following his remarks.

In answer to a question on the tension between Ukraine and Russia, Erdoğan said: “We will not only deal with relations between the United Arab Emirates and Türkiye, but also developments in the region, including developments between Russia and Ukraine. We will discuss what kind of measures we can take on this, we will focus on this point.”

Accompanying Erdoğan on his visit are Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Minister of Interior Süleyman Soylu, Minister Of Treasury and Finance Nureddin Nebati, Minister of Trade Mehmet Muş, Minister of Industry and Technology Mustafa Varank, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Adil Karaismailoğlu, Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Bekir Pakdemirli. (ILKHA)