His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and President of the Republic of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, have reviewed the prospects of further consolidating bilateral relations and advancing cooperation and joint work between the two nations in various fields in addition to the latest regional and international issues and developments of interest.
This came as His Highness Sheikh Mohamed welcomed today the Turkish President and his accompanying delegation at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi. His Highness welcomed President Recep Erdogan's visit to UAE and expressed hope this "significant visit would create further momentum to strengthening cooperation and building a new prosperous phase of partnerships for the higher good of the two countries, their peoples and all the nations of the region.
His Highness conveyed to the Turkish President the greetings of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his wishes for continued good health and happiness to the Turkish president and more stability, progress and prosperity for his country.
His Highness and President Erdogan reviewed the various cooperation opportunities available for the two countries, especially in the fields of investment, development, agriculture, food security, health, technology, innovation, space projects, artificial intelligence and renewable energy, which are all being prioritised in the UAE development agenda as well as sectors conducive to ensuring sustainable development in both countries.
The two sides also exchanged views on a number of issues and developments in the Middle East, stressing, in this context, that the two countries agree on the importance of supporting efforts and peaceful solutions aimed at enhancing security, peace and stability in the region.
Sheikh Mohamed expressed his thanks and appreciation for the friendly position adopted by Turkey and its condemnation of recent Houthi terrorist attacks on civil sites in the UAE and its solidarity with the UAE in the face of these criminal attacks, wishing Turkey continued security, stability and prosperity.
His Highness also pointed out that the agreements and memoranda of understanding signed by the two countries during his recent visit to Turkey laid the foundation for the launch of fresh economic and trade partnerships between the two countries, stressing the UAE's keenness to strengthen this partnership and push it forward during the coming period to double the volume of trade exchanges between the two nations.
Sheikh Mohamed noted that strengthening development partnerships for the benefit of the peoples of the region requires cooperation between their countries, especially in light of the many commonalities between the Arab and Turkish sides and the opportunities up for grabs for achieving growth, cooperation and prosperity.
He also added that the UAE welcomes every step on the road to cooperation, understanding and peace in the region, out of the country's approach that is based on strengthening cooperation and coexistence to achieve development, prosperity and stability.
His Highness said that the UAE is keen to cooperate with Turkey to face the multiple common challenges witnessed in the region through dialogue, understanding, consultation and diplomatic solutions.
For his part, President of the Republic of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed delight at visiting the UAE, hailing the progress achieved by the Emirates over the recent years.
At his inaugural remarks, the Turkish president extended his greetings to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and to the audience.
"It gives me great pleasure witnessing the recent acceleration in high-level contacts between the two countries and the visit of my dear brother His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, last November to Turkey," the Turkish president said.
He underlined the importance of the agreements signed by the two countries on strengthening bilateral relations, which covered various fields, including investment, transport and industry, in addition to advanced technologies, defense industries, health and agriculture, as well as culture, youth and media.
He said that the rapprochement between Turkey and the United Arab Emirates is key to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region, stressing that "Turkey doesn't consider the security and stability of all brotherly countries in the Gulf region separate from our own."
He pointed out that Turkey was one of the first countries to condemn terrorist attacks on civil sites in the UAE, stressing his country's condemnation and rejection of all forms and pretexts of terrorism and noting that his country will continue to firmly combat it.
President Erdogan added that economic cooperation is a significant driver of UAE-Turkish relationship, noting that the comprehensive economic partnership agreement that the two countries will begin negotiating would create a fresh impetus to double the volume of trade exchanges between the two nations.
He pointed out the importance of establishing a joint technology fund between the two countries and expanding cooperation in the field of energy to include renewable and clean energy technologies, as well as investment in chips manufacturing, the strategic importance of which, he said, has significantly been felt during the Covid-19 pandemic. "This is in addition to medical and health tourism and other joint projects that bring benefit to the two countries."
The Turkish leader added that re-listing Turkey to the Green List of Abu Dhabi-bound flights would speed up cooperation between the two nations.
He expressed his wishes that the agreements signed by the two countries today will be a good start for all.
"I thank my dear brother, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, for the warm reception and hospitality that we and the accompanying delegation received," he said.
Erdogan wrote a message in the visitor's book, in which he expressed his pleasure at visiting the UAE, wishing bilateral relations further progress in light of the many commonalities that unite the two countries. He wished continued prosperity and prosperity for the UAE and its people.
Sheikh Mohamed hosted a dinner banquet in honor of the guest president and the accompanying delegation.
Attending the meeting and banquet were H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region, H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, H.H. Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Adviser, H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, H.H. Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Member of the Executive Council of Abu Dhabi, H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Special Affairs Advisor at the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, and Sheikh Khalifa bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Executive Director of the Martyrs' Families' Affairs Office at the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Court, along with a number of ministers and senior officials and the delegation accompanying the Turkish president.
