About two years ago, except Qatar, relations between Turkey and the Arab states were very tense. For example, the differences between Ankara and Riyadh had reached such a level that it was impossible to talk about any reconciliation. However, the change in the political line gradually melted the solid ice.
First of all, we are talking about the visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Saudi Arabia next month.
Noting that earlier, good relations had been established between Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. In fact, there had to be a reason for the relationship to change in this way. That was the end of the Trump era, which could keep Arab states under its control. And finally, the recent elections in the US, where President Joseph Biden came to power. That is the beginning of the time since which Turkey has normalized relations with the UAE.
President Erdogan's current visit to Saudi Arabia is also linked to relations between the ruling Democrats in the United States and Arab relations. Because Democrats no longer sign hundreds of billions of dollars to supply arms to the Kingdom, as they did under Trump. Apparently, the royal family, unwilling to be alone in the Persian Gulf, was forced to negotiate with official Ankara, putting aside all hatred and anti-Turkish rhetoric against Turkey.
Indeed, the King's family in Riyadh understand that the United States does not intend to take a very tough anti-Iranian stance. In this case, the United Kingdom is not ready to face several powerful countries in the Middle East without support.
Hasan Oktay, a Turkish political analyst and head of the Centre of Caucasus Research (KAFKASSAM), told EDNews.net about the prospects of the upcoming negotiations between Turkey and Saudi Arabia after a lont time of acrimony.
"I would like to note that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is visiting Saudi Arabia for the first time after the assassination of Jamal Khashoggi on October 2, 2018 at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. However, the expression "great hostility" is not very real in the current situation. There is no absolute hostility or absolute friendship in international relations. History is full of examples of this. Today, the European states that have waged two world wars against each other are uniting almost under one umbrella of the EU. Turkish-Saudi relations are going through a sensitive process. This requires extensive analysis.
As for the deterioration of relations between the two countries, you know that it happened after President Erdogan's harsh reaction to the terrorist attack in New Zealand. Although Turkey has sent a delegation to condemn the attack at the highest level, the failure of Western leaders and the Islamic world, including Saudi Arabia, to react to these attacks has had a profound effect on Saudi Arabia's image in the Islamic world. In relations with the Arab world, in ideological conflicts between Arabs, Turkey had to take the side, and this could have a very negative impact on Turkey.
In addition, Turkey seeks to develop new and positive relations with the entire Middle East and the Gulf region. We are also talking about Israel and the United Arab Emirates. I believe that the step taken by President Erdogan to correct his past mistakes is extremely important for regional peace."
The political analyst also touched upon the issue of Jamal Khashoggi, which has long been a source of conflict between Turkey and Saudi Arabia, as well as whether it had any influence on the negotiation process.
"The assassination of Jamal Khashoggi is an event that must be assessed within the framework of international and diplomatic law. As a rule, consular buildings are inviolable. The state is responsible for ensuring immunity. In other words, Turkey was responsible for protecting the Saudi Consulate. In this regard, after the assassination, Turkey intervened in terms of the integrity of the investigation. Therefore, Turkey acted within its obligations. From this point of view, Turkey's approach to the murder of Jamal Khashoggi is not political, but merely a legal investigation. The incident was exaggerated to the diplomatic level and led to a conflict between the states."
In addition, Hassan Ogtay spoke about the possibility of increasing investment in the country through Turkey's relations with Saudi Arabia.
"Relations between Turkey and Saudi Arabia must be viewed as a whole, in other words, this development must be approached as Turkey's expansion into the Middle East and the Gulf," he said.
"As is known, Turkey has recently initiated the development of new relations with both the United Arab Emirates and Israel. In this context, the Turkey-Saudi Arabia meeting will be not only economic. The social and political effects of this will emerge in the near future. The Saudi leadership will accept Turkey as what as it is and act in accordance with Turkey's historical past, and prepare a healthier foundation for the future by analysing the past together. Both countries need each other to avoid security problems in the region and overcome the economic crisis in Turkey as well.
Elnur Enveroglu
