Recep Tayyip Erdogan is to round off his tour in Northern Cyprus after visiting the Gulf next week, his office said. Reuters
Recep Tayyip Erdogan is to round off his tour in Northern Cyprus after visiting the Gulf next week, his office said. Reuters
Recep Tayyip Erdogan is to round off his tour in Northern Cyprus after visiting the Gulf next week, his office said. Reuters
Recep Tayyip Erdogan is to round off his tour in Northern Cyprus after visiting the Gulf next week, his office said. Reuters

Turkey's Erdogan set to start Gulf tour on Monday


Mina Aldroubi
  • English
  • Arabic

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will start a three-day tour of the Gulf on Monday, a representative from his office in Ankara told The National on Thursday.

Mr Erdogan will visit Saudi Arabia on Monday, head to Qatar on Tuesday and is expected to end his Gulf tour on Wednesday with a visit to the UAE, said the official.

He will also visit Northern Cyprus on Thursday after he completes his Gulf visit.

Speaking to local Turkish media on Thursday, Mr Erdogan said he hopes to reach major investment deals during the visit next week.

Mr Erdogan said these investments could be made in Turkey or any of the three Gulf states.

"We would like to increase all kinds of relations by travelling to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE," Mr Erdogan said.

Turkey's Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek and Central Bank governor Hafize Gaye Erkan visited Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, ahead of Mr Erdogan's planned trip.

A delegation led by Mr Simsek met his Saudi counterpart Mohammed Al Jadaan in the kingdom.

"We discussed aspects of co-operation and ways to enhance financial and economic relations between our countries," Mr Al Jadaan said on Twitter following the meeting.

It comes as Turkey's Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz visited Qatar with Mr Simsek last week.

Last year, Mr Erdogan visited the UAE for the first time in a decade to boost economic and political ties.

It marked a significant improvement in relations between the two states.

During the trip, the UAE announced it was setting up a $10 billion investment fund in Turkey.

The UAE is Turkey’s leading trading partner among GCC countries. Bilateral trade between the two countries in 2020 reached $8 billion.

At the time, the UAE's news agency Wam said leaders in the Emirates believe strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries will contribute to regional stability, prosperity and peace.

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

Updated: July 13, 2023, 12:43 PM`