Turkish presidential spokesman, Ibrahim Kalin, confirmed that 2022 will be the year of new regional openings, and will witness an acceleration in steps to improve relations with many countries.
Kalin added: “We do not leave any hand outstretched to us hanging in the air, and we take two steps towards everyone who takes a friendly step towards us, and we are keen to overcome crises and temporary tensions, and take new improvement steps.
” He explained that “the steps we have taken recently with Egypt and the UAE come within this framework, and other steps may follow,” stressing that “these steps contribute to Turkey’s national interests, its regional vision and global peace.”
He pointed out that “the year 2022 will continue in which the global influences of the past two years will continue, but Turkey will increase its opportunities and capabilities in every field, while continuing to strengthen its alliance relations…This balance policy will strengthen our hands in resolving crises.”
Over the past two years, Ankara has been striving to try to jump over the differences caused by its policies in the Middle East, after the events of the so-called “Arab Spring”.
Visit to Saudi Arabia
On the sidelines of a trade event in Istanbul, last Monday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that he would visit Saudi Arabia next February, the same month he had previously set to visit the UAE.
And last May, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu visited Saudi Arabia, amid Turkish efforts to repair relations with its regional surroundings.
Weeks ago, Erdogan received the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed in Ankara.
The visit culminated in an Emirati announcement of the establishment of a $10 billion investment fund to support the Turkish economy.
