Turkey and the UAE finalize seven bilateral accords during a significant diplomatic meeting
**Türkiye and UAE Strengthen Strategic Ties with Seven Bilateral Agreements**
In a significant move to deepen strategic cooperation, Türkiye and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed seven bilateral agreements in Ankara on July 16, 2025. The agreements were signed during a high-level visit by UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, marking the inaugural session of the Türkiye-UAE High-Level Strategic Council [1][2][5].
The agreements span a broad range of strategic sectors, reflecting a comprehensive upgrade in bilateral relations. The sectors covered include trade and investment, tourism and hospitality, pharmaceuticals, industry and manufacturing, food and agriculture, defense, technology and polar research, and consular affairs.
In the trade and investment sector, both leaders highlighted the rapid growth in bilateral trade, which aims to exceed $20 billion in 2025—double the previous years’ targets—with a medium-term goal of $40 billion [1][2]. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) on investment cooperation in tourism and hospitality was signed between Ahmet Burak Daglioglu and UAE Investment Minister Mohamed Hassan Al Suwaidi.
Additional MoUs focused on investment in pharmaceuticals, industrial manufacturing, and agriculture and food sectors. A separate agreement on the mutual protection of classified information was signed by the defense ministers of both countries, Turkish National Defense Minister Yasar Guler and UAE State Minister for Defense Affairs Mohammed Mubarak Al Mazrouei.
Another memorandum, focusing on cooperation in polar research, was signed by Turkey's Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacir and UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber. The visit also included an official ceremony at the presidential complex in Ankara, Turkey.
The formation of a joint consular committee was agreed upon to facilitate consular cooperation, with Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Nuh Yılmaz and UAE State Minister Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar signing the relevant document.
During the visit, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan noted that a few years ago, a $10 billion trade volume was considered ambitious, but now the goal is to exceed $20 billion. He expressed confidence that the medium-term target of $40 billion in bilateral trade will be met.
The UAE President, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is visiting Türkiye on July 16 for the first High-Level Strategic Council talks. The two leaders emphasized that their strategic partnership, initially laid out during Erdoğan’s 2023 visit to Abu Dhabi, has expanded rapidly, now covering nearly every major sector—trade, infrastructure, defense, energy, technology, and transportation [1][2][4]. They also discussed regional issues, particularly the situation in Gaza, reaffirming their countries’ commitment to support efforts for regional peace and stability [1][2][4].
These agreements represent a major step in the normalization and deepening of Türkiye-UAE relations, which had been strained in previous years. The breadth of collaboration—spanning economic, technological, defense, and consular fields—demonstrates a mutual commitment to long-term strategic partnership and regional stability [1][2][5]. Both countries anticipate substantial economic benefits and enhanced influence in regional affairs as a result of these accords.
References: [1] Anadolu Agency. (2025, July 16). Türkiye, UAE sign 7 agreements during Sheikh Mohammed's visit. Retrieved from https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkiye/turkiye-uae-sign-7-agreements-during-sheikh-mohammeds-visit/2266303
[2] Hurriyet Daily News. (2025, July 16). Türkiye, UAE sign 7 agreements in Ankara during Sheikh Mohammed's visit. Retrieved from https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkiye-uae-sign-7-agreements-in-ankara-during-sheikh-mohammeds-visit-170680
[3] Turkish Presidency. (2025, July 16). President Erdoğan and UAE President Sheikh Mohammed discuss regional challenges. Retrieved from https://www.tccb.gov.tr/en/news/president-erdogan-and-uae-president-sheikh-mohammed-discuss-regional-challenges
[4] Al Jazeera. (2025, July 16). UAE, Turkey discuss Gaza crisis during Erdogan meeting. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/16/uae-turkey-discuss-gaza-crisis-during-erdogan-meeting
[5] Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (2025, July 16). Türkiye-UAE High-Level Strategic Council Meeting. Retrieved from https://www.mfa.gov.tr/turkiye-uae-high-level-strategic-council-meeting.en.mfa
- The Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, expressed confidence that the bilateral trade between Türkiye and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will exceed $40 billion, as aimed in the seven agreements signed in Ankara on July 16, 2025.
- The agreements between Türkiye and UAE, covering sectors such as trade, defense, technology, and consular affairs, are expected to result in significant economic benefits and enhanced influence in regional affairs for both countries.
- In the General News, it was reported that Turkish President Erdogan and UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan discussed regional issues, particularly the situation in Syria, during the inaugural session of the Türkiye-UAE High-Level Strategic Council Meeting held in Ankara.
- Ahmet Burak Daglioglu, a Turkish official, and UAE Investment Minister Mohamed Hassan Al Suwaidi signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on investment cooperation in the tourism and hospitality sector as part of the seven agreements between the two countries.
