Turkish President Receives Abu Dhabi Crown Prince in Ankara

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan review a guard of honor during a welcome ceremony in Ankara, Turkey, November 24, 2021. (Presidential Press Office/Handout via Reuters)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan review a guard of honor during a welcome ceremony in Ankara, Turkey, November 24, 2021. (Presidential Press Office/Handout via Reuters)
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Turkish President Receives Abu Dhabi Crown Prince in Ankara

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan review a guard of honor during a welcome ceremony in Ankara, Turkey, November 24, 2021. (Presidential Press Office/Handout via Reuters)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan review a guard of honor during a welcome ceremony in Ankara, Turkey, November 24, 2021. (Presidential Press Office/Handout via Reuters)

Turkey and the United Arab Emirates signed accords on energy and technology investments on Wednesday after talks between President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan in Ankara.

Sheik Mohammed's meeting with Erdogan, the first such visit in years, comes as the two countries work to mend frayed ties after a period of bitter regional rivalry, and amid a currency crisis in Turkey.

The memorandums of understanding were signed between the Abu Dhabi Development Holding (ADQ), Turkish Wealth Fund (TVF), and the Turkish Presidency Investment Office, as well as with some Turkish companies.

Following the talks, Sheikh Mohammed said he had "fruitful" talks with Erdogan on strengthening ties between Turkey and the UAE.

"I look forward to exploring new cooperation opportunities to benefit our two nations and advance our mutual development goals," he said on Twitter.

ADQ signed an accord on investing in Turkish technology firms and on establishing a technology-oriented fund, while Abu Dhabi Ports also signed an agreement on port and logistics cooperation.

A deal between ADQ and Turkish company Kalyon on energy and infrastructure, another with CCN Group on health cooperation, and a third with Turkey's Presidency Investment Office on renewable energy were also among the agreements, a Turkish official said.

The UAE announced it was establishing a $10 billion fund to support mainly strategic investments in Turkey, including in the health and energy fields, its state news agency WAM said.

The Turkish and Emirati central banks also signed a cooperation agreement on Wednesday.

Turkey said in September it was in talks with the UAE over investments in energy such as power generation, while the UAE, whose sovereign wealth funds have made significant investments in Turkish online grocer Getir and e-commerce platform Trendyol, has said it seeks deeper trade and economic ties with Ankara.

State broadcaster TRT Haber said Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusogu will visit Abu Dhabi in mid-December.



Bahrain and Oman Deepen Ties During King Hamad’s Visit to Muscat

Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq and Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa hold talks in Muscat on Tuesday. (BNA)
Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq and Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa hold talks in Muscat on Tuesday. (BNA)
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Bahrain and Oman Deepen Ties During King Hamad’s Visit to Muscat

Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq and Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa hold talks in Muscat on Tuesday. (BNA)
Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq and Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa hold talks in Muscat on Tuesday. (BNA)

Oman and Bahrain held expanded talks this week aimed at bolstering their strong bilateral relations and widening their partnership.

Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq received Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in Muscat on Tuesday to discuss opportunities to develop their economic and investment partnership.

They stressed the importance of encouraging the public and private sectors to diversify their fields to meet the aspirations of their people and countries. They also welcomed the establishment of the Omani-Bahraini Investment Company.

King Hamad was in Oman at the head of a senior delegation on January 14 and 15.

The leaders praised the growth of the historic relations between their countries.

They hailed the success of the Omani-Bahraini business council and its role in boosting bilateral cooperation and execution of joint projects that meet their countries’ aspirations.

King Hamad and Sultan Haitham discussed the work of the Gulf Cooperation Council and its success in boosting collective work. They hoped to deepen cooperation and integration between its countries.

They reviewed regional and international developments, underscoring the importance of resolving crises and disputes through peaceful means and bolstering dialogue and international cooperation.

Oman and Bahrain signed 25 agreements and memoranda of understanding during King Hamad’s visit. They covered double taxation, endowments, zakat, meteorology, the stock market, health, media, scientific and educational cooperation, investment opportunities, food security, agricultural production and development and other issues.