Presidency's Director of Communications Fahrettin Altun pointed out that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's upcoming visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on February 14-15 is intended to strengthen constructive dialogue and take relations to the next level for the sake of regional peace.
The article, which covers Director of Communications Altun's assessment of the two countries relations, was published in the UAE's national newspaper Al-Ittihad ahead of President Erdoğan's visit tomorrow.
In the article, Director of Communications Altun wrote that the post-pandemic world will require a drastically different approach to global and regional challenges facing us and that in an age of increasingly unstable and unpredictable developments around the world, global and regional cooperation is no longer a choice but an obligation.
Director of Communications Altun emphasised that our region needs a shift towards conciliation, coordination, and cooperation more than any other region of the world and indicated that Türkiye believes the future of the region needs to be anchored in economic cooperation and political dialogue.
Pointing out that they have been pleased to see that the UAE leadership shares the same vision and is ready to work with Türkiye to toward a more stable and prosperous region, Director of Communications Altun added, "President Erdoğan's upcoming visit is a testament to his recognition of the critical importance of the UAE in the region to contribute these goals. With President Erdoğan's visit, we hope to strengthen our constructive dialogue and take our relations to the next level for the sake of regional peace."
Director of Communications Altun noted that lasting peace and stability could only be achieved through genuinely regional initiatives of relevant regional actors and added:
"As Türkiye and the UAE, we believe that regional economic cooperation both at the bilateral level and through multilateral schemes can be the bedrock of much-needed stability and peace. There continue to be dire conditions in several conflict zones in the Middle East, including Yemen, Palestine, Iraq and beyond. Economic inequities run rampant as development goals of many countries remain unattainable in the current situation. Youth unemployment, income inequality, refugees and internally displaced persons are just a few of the persistent problems that need to be addressed urgently. Türkiye and the UAE could join forces in order to alleviate the humanitarian crises in the region and build a model for other countries to join."
Stating that it is necessary to take measures to prevent income inequalities that cause significant political and social problems, Director of Communications Altun stressed that active cooperation between Türkiye and the UAE would pave the way for alleviating these problems and effective use of our economic and social potential.
"Lasting solutions could be produced"
Director of Communications Altun stated that the region is full of opportunities and ample resources, saying, "The dynamism of our populations, the availability of human capital and vibrant economies can provide a fertile ground for widespread prosperity. There is much to be hopeful for, especially our strong commitment to the development of our younger generations."
Recalling that Türkiye and the UAE have mutually recognised that increased cooperation in all arenas is in the interests of both countries as well as of the region and that relations have recently been reinvigorated, Director of Communications Altun emphasised that in the face of monumental security, economic, and humanitarian challenges, Türkiye's stabilising posture and the UAE's critically important dynamism could produce lasting solutions.
Director of Communications Altun stated that Türkiye and the UAE seek to deepen their bilateral relations as they pursue pragmatic approaches to regional challenges, adding, "We believe that both countries are invested in increasing regional cooperation and creating new investment opportunities that can build constructive economic dependencies."
Director of Communications Altun expressed Türkiye's conviction about the obligation to forge strong intra-regional economic ties and dialogue mechanisms that can stand the test of time and serve as the anchor for regional peace, and added: "Türkiye, under the leadership of our President Erdoğan, is driven by the perspective of strengthening our bonds with our brothers in the Gulf for the sake of stability and peace in our region."