Gargash: Erdogan Spreading Muslim Brotherhood Ideology in Europe, Must Be Confronted

United Arab Emirates State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Anwar Gargash. (AFP)
United Arab Emirates State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Anwar Gargash. (AFP)
TT

Gargash: Erdogan Spreading Muslim Brotherhood Ideology in Europe, Must Be Confronted

United Arab Emirates State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Anwar Gargash. (AFP)
United Arab Emirates State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Anwar Gargash. (AFP)

United Arab Emirates State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Anwar Gargash, urged on Monday the need to confront Turkey’s expansionist agenda in the region.

In an interview with Germany’s Die Welt, he said: “French President Emmanuel Macron is one of the few European politicians who is openly opposing Turkey’s regional expansion.”

“Europe needs to take a united position on Turkey,” he demanded.

“Erdogan exploits weaknesses for his own gain,” he warned. “When confronted with red lines, he will be prepared to negotiate.”

Furthermore, Gargash said Erdogan’s Islamist ideological project is closely linked to this expansion.

He accused the Turkish leader of spreading the Muslim Brotherhood ideology in the world.

On one level it is his own personal ideology, but on another, it is a means to gain power, he explained. “The two cannot be separated.”

Moreover, he said thousands of Turkish soldiers are engaged in operations against the Kurdistan Workers' Party in northern Iraq. The military is also involved in northern Syria and in sending weapons to the Libyan Government of National Accord.

“Turkey is expanding everywhere at the expense of the Arabs. We are opposed to this. If they want to revive their empire, then go ahead, but not at our expense,” he stressed.



Oman's Sultan to Meet Putin in Moscow on Monday

Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said gives a speech after being sworn in before the royal family council in Muscat, Oman January 11, 2020. REUTERS/Sultan Al Hasani/File Photo
Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said gives a speech after being sworn in before the royal family council in Muscat, Oman January 11, 2020. REUTERS/Sultan Al Hasani/File Photo
TT

Oman's Sultan to Meet Putin in Moscow on Monday

Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said gives a speech after being sworn in before the royal family council in Muscat, Oman January 11, 2020. REUTERS/Sultan Al Hasani/File Photo
Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said gives a speech after being sworn in before the royal family council in Muscat, Oman January 11, 2020. REUTERS/Sultan Al Hasani/File Photo

Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said is set to visit Moscow on Monday, days after the start of a round of Muscat-mediated nuclear talks between the US and Iran.

The sultan will hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, the Kremlin said, Reuters reported.

Iran and the US started a new round of nuclear talks in Rome on Saturday to resolve their decades-long standoff over Tehran's atomic aims, under the shadow of President Donald Trump's threat to unleash military action if diplomacy fails.

Ahead of Saturday's talks, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi met his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Moscow. Following the meeting, Lavrov said Russia was "ready to assist, mediate and play any role that will be beneficial to Iran and the U.S.A."

The sultan's meetings in Moscow visit will focus on cooperation on regional and global issues, the Omani state news agency and the Kremlin said, without providing further detail.

The two leaders are also expected to discuss trade and economic ties, the Kremlin added.