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Turkey and Saudi Arabia Reach Agreement on Bilateral Cooperation
The recent announcement of a series of agreements between Turkey and Saudi Arabia has generated both hope and skepticism among observers of Middle Eastern politics. The two countries, who share a complex history of cooperation and competition, have struggled to find common ground on various issues in recent years, including the war in Syria, the blockade of Qatar, the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and the regional rivalry with Iran. However, the latest developments indicate a thaw in their relations and a willingness to explore new areas of collaboration.
One of the key agreements between Turkey and Saudi Arabia is the establishment of a joint investment fund worth $10 billion, which aims to boost economic ties and create jobs in both countries. The fund, which will be managed by the sovereign wealth funds of Saudi Arabia and Turkey, will focus on sectors such as energy, petrochemicals, tourism, agriculture, and technology. The fund could also provide a platform for expanding the presence of Turkish companies in Saudi Arabia and vice versa, as well as for attracting foreign investors to both countries.
Another important agreement is the plan to launch a Turkish-Saudi Coordination Council, which will serve as a mechanism for enhancing political and strategic cooperation between the two countries. The council, which will be co-chaired by the foreign ministers of Turkey and Saudi Arabia, will cover a wide range of issues, including security, defense, culture, education, health, and environment. The council could also facilitate the resolution of some of the contentious issues that have divided Turkey and Saudi Arabia in the past, such as the Muslim Brotherhood, the Syrian Kurds, and the Yemeni conflict.
The third agreement involves the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Turkish and Saudi defense ministries, which aims to deepen military cooperation and exchange. The memorandum includes provisions for joint training, exercises, and defense industry projects, as well as for intelligence sharing and counterterrorism efforts. The memorandum could also lead to Turkey and Saudi Arabia cooperating more closely in regional security architectures, such as the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the Arab League, and NATO.
The fourth agreement concerns the resumption of flights between Turkey and Saudi Arabia, which had been suspended for several months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The resumption of flights could facilitate the movement of people and goods between the two countries and revive the tourism sector, which has suffered greatly from the pandemic. The resumption of flights could also signal a willingness on both sides to restore normal relations and overcome the diplomatic tensions of the past few years.
Overall, the agreement of Turkey with Saudi Arabia reflects a pragmatic approach to bilateral cooperation that seeks to balance economic, political, and security interests. While the agreements do not solve all the problems and challenges facing Turkey and Saudi Arabia, they offer a glimmer of hope for a more stable and prosperous future in the region. However, the success of the agreements will depend on many factors, including the ability of Turkey and Saudi Arabia to implement them effectively, the reactions of other regional and global actors, and the evolution of the regional dynamics in the post-pandemic era. Therefore, it is important to monitor the developments closely and critically evaluate the impacts and implications of the agreements on the regional and global levels.