Turkish and UAE Foreign Ministers Discuss Political and Economic Relations
On Tuesday, March 22, the foreign ministers of Turkey and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) held a phone call to discuss political and economic relations between their two nations. According to Turkish diplomatic sources, Mevlut Cavusoglu and Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan also addressed the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
During the call, Cavusoglu expressed his gratitude to Al Nahyan for the UAE's support and solidarity following the devastating earthquakes that struck Turkey in February. The powerful twin quakes, with magnitudes of 7.7 and 7.6, killed over 50,000 people in Turkey and 6,000 in Syria, according to the UN. The earthquakes also caused $6.7 billion in losses and damages to Turkey's agriculture and livestock sectors, according to another report by the UN.
The conversation between the two foreign ministers is a significant step towards strengthening the relationship between Turkey and the UAE, two nations that share a long history of diplomatic ties. The UAE is Turkey's largest trading partner in the Gulf region, with bilateral trade reaching $19.5 billion in 2020.
The call also comes at a time when Turkey is seeking to strengthen its ties with its neighbors in the region, including Greece and Iraq. Earlier this month, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi in Ankara to discuss bilateral relations and regional developments.
Meanwhile, Turkey and Greece are set to hold a working meeting in Ankara on Wednesday, March 23, to discuss their ongoing disputes in the eastern Mediterranean.
The conversation between Cavusoglu and Al Nahyan is a reminder of the importance of diplomacy and cooperation between nations, especially during times of crisis. As the world faces numerous challenges, from the COVID-19 pandemic to climate change and political instability, it is essential for countries to work together towards common goals.
Source: Anadolu Agency
External link: https://www.aa.com.tr/en/politics/turkish-uae-foreign-ministers-discuss-political-economic-relations/2191328
