UAE leader scheduled for July 16 summit with Turkey's government for initial High-Level Strategic Council discussions.
In a move that signifies the strengthening of ties between the two nations, United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is set to visit Turkey on July 16, 2023. This visit comes at a time of heightened regional instability, with escalating tensions in Sweida, Syria, and concerns over the possibility of renewed hostilities between Iran and Israel following a fragile cease-fire [1][2][3].
The meeting, which will take place at the presidential complex in Ankara, marks the inaugural session of the Turkey-UAE High-Level Strategic Council, a body established in 2023 [4]. The leaders will discuss current regional and global developments, as well as steps to deepen the strategic partnership between the countries [5].
The economic front is a key area of focus. The UAE has become Turkey's fastest-growing export market in the first half of 2025, with a 64.5% surge [6]. To further strengthen this relationship, the two countries have agreed on a roadmap to advance economic, trade, and investment cooperation from 2023 to 2025. This roadmap aims to enhance cross-border investments, boost trade volume, and collaborate on infrastructure and technology projects [1][3].
In addition to economic cooperation, the leaders will also emphasize the importance of high-level political and diplomatic coordination. Regular dialogues between senior officials and foreign ministers can ensure alignment on regional security issues, counterterrorism efforts, and multilateral institutions, forming a basis to collaborate on protecting regional stability [2].
The strategic partnership will also extend to joint engagement on regional conflicts and stability. Given the mutual interest in Middle Eastern stability, working together on conflict resolution in areas such as Syria, Libya, and Yemen, as well as humanitarian cooperation, will deepen trust and strategic alignment [4].
Furthermore, the leaders will explore opportunities for joint innovation and technology initiatives. Leveraging UAE's focus on innovation and AI alongside Turkey's industrial capabilities can open new areas of collaboration, including smart city development, renewable energy, and defense technologies [5].
Lastly, the leaders will emphasize the importance of cultural and people-to-people exchanges. Expanding cultural ties, tourism, and educational cooperation can build long-term understanding and goodwill beyond just economic and security areas.
In conclusion, the partnership can be deepened by operationalizing economic agreements, maintaining continuous diplomatic engagement, working jointly on regional peace and security issues, and expanding cooperation in innovation and cultural exchange. These steps reflect both nations' priorities following the historic visit and existing frameworks for collaboration [1][2][3][4][5].
Meanwhile, in a separate development, Azerbaijani President Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Pashinian are scheduled to hold peace talks in Abu Dhabi, further underscoring the UAE's increasing role in regional diplomacy.
References: [1] Anadolu Agency. (2023). Turkey, UAE agree on roadmap to enhance economic, trade, investment cooperation. Retrieved from https://www.aa.com.tr/en/economy/turkey-uae-agree-on-roadmap-to-enhance-economic-trade-investment-cooperation/2203686 [2] Anadolu Agency. (2023). UAE emphasizes regional stability in speech at World Economic Forum. Retrieved from https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/uae-emphasizes-regional-stability-in-speech-at-world-economic-forum/2196571 [3] Gulf News. (2023). UAE, Turkey sign eight agreements to boost ties. Retrieved from https://gulfnews.com/world/gulf/uae/uae-turkey-sign-eight-agreements-to-boost-ties-1.1663147353211 [4] Anadolu Agency. (2023). Turkey condemns Israeli airstrikes in southern Syria. Retrieved from https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/turkey-condemns-israeli-airstrikes-in-southern-syria/2201231 [5] Arab News. (2023). UAE and Turkey to boost cooperation in technology, innovation. Retrieved from https://www.arabnews.com/node/1968826/middle-east [6] Trade Arabia. (2025). UAE becomes Turkey's fastest-growing export market in H1 2025. Retrieved from https://www.tradearabia.com/news/20250716/news355801.html
- The Turkish-UAE High-Level Strategic Council, established in 2023, will discuss current regional and global developments, including the Middle East's political landscape and ongoing conflicts like those in Syria, during the meeting in Ankara between President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
- In accordance with the agreed upon roadmap, the leaders will emphasize the importance of bolstering economic, trade, and investment cooperation between Turkey and the UAE from 2023 to 2025 to increase cross-border investments and expand trade volume.
- Both leaders will underline the significance of high-level political and diplomatic coordination on regional security issues, counterterrorism efforts, and multilateral institutions in order to form a basis for collaboration on protecting regional stability.
- To further solidify their relationship, the UAE and Turkey will explore opportunities for joint innovation and technology initiatives in fields such as smart city development, renewable energy, and defense technologies, leveraging the UAE's focus on innovation and AI alongside Turkey's industrial capabilities.
