These visits include the richest and poorest countries of the Gulf region and combine politics and trade. They show the degree to which Turkey is deepening its ties with the Gulf region, which is a natural strategic goal given Turkey’s economic interests.
President Gül’s visit to Yemen has resonated in Turkey in a way few foreigners could understand. Turks lost many souls at the end of the Ottoman Empire. From Tripoli and Medina to Sarıkamış and the Balkans, thousands of Muslim Ottoman soldiers of various ethnic backgrounds died fighting against European and Russian armies. Yemen, where the Ottomans lost around 30,000 young soldiers, stands out as one of the most tragic events of World War I. Their memories have been kept alive in numerous folk songs, stories and legends. It was no surprise to see President Gül and his entire entourage crying in the streets of Yemen. President Gül’s visit was also important to renew Turkey’s support for politically troubled Yemen. An important outcome has been the lifting of visa requirements between Turkey and Yemen -- a goal Turkey is pursuing with many countries.
Erdoğan’s visit to Kuwait and Qatar focused primarily on trade and investment. The largest group of Turkish businessmen and women so far joined the prime minister on his visit. They held more than 2,000 business meetings in Kuwait alone. As the Kuwaitis are preparing to spend $120 billion on various projects over the next five to 10 years, Turkish companies want to be part of this big investment opportunity. As acknowledged by many, Turkish companies have developed the capacity to bid on such major projects, and this is one of the strengths of the Turkish economy. It is also a powerful tool of Turkish foreign policy.
Erdoğan was open and candid about this in his speeches in Kuwait and Qatar. He rightly complained about the low level of trade between Turkey and Kuwait (a mere $600 million in 2010). The sentiments of brotherhood are important, he said, but we also have to do business together. There are many areas in which we can cooperate -- from energy and communication to construction and education. A region that is more integrated economically will be of benefit to everyone. It will help narrow the gap between the poor and the rich in the region. It will help Muslim countries realize their potential in the economic system, education, science, technology and arts. It is not enough to talk about lofty ideals. You have to put your money where your mouth is.
The critics will again misread this as a call for a new union of Muslim countries against the West. This is not true. Turkey conducts more than 50 percent of its trade with Europe, and there is no reason why it should give this up. Developing better economic relations with oil-rich Gulf countries is not antithetical to maintaining good relations with European economies. Nor is it an alternative to US-Turkish relations, even though the fact is that US-Turkish economic relations are also very low and do not reflect the desired level of a “model partnership.” A Turkish economy that is well integrated into both Eastern and Western markets will be a confirmation of a globally strong economy and only makes sense within the current wave of economic globalization.
Turkey’s deepening ties with Gulf countries are a part of the normalization in Turkish foreign policy. We live at a time when countries across the globe traverse nation-state borders and continents and develop friendships and partnerships in all corners of the world. No one finds it strange that the US and European companies do business in all types of countries -- democratic and autocratic -- and in every region of the world. No one should find it strange it for Turkey either.
