What’s behind growing ties between Turkey and the Gulf states

Source:Atlantic Council Date:27Jul2023

Turkey’s developing relations with these three Gulf countries show a convergence of interests and agreement on many issues. These include agreement on their complementary comparative advantages, their eagerness to diversify trade partnerships, and their desire for strategic autonomy from the West. Reflecting their growing cooperation, Turkey announced that it had struck framework agreements for bilateral investment with the UAE that reached over $50 billion—it also announced agreements with Saudi Arabia and Qatar (the values of which are still undisclosed). Deepening partnerships in key sectors such as defense, energy, and transport indicate an interest among Turkey and Gulf countries to leverage financial capital, know-how, and geographic advantages for economic growth; they also indicate a realignment to share political risks in a volatile region and reduce dependence on the United States.