Turkey and Saudi Arabia have had a complex relationship in the past, though they both claim to have deep respect for each other. But one can observe some underlying tensions between the two countries in recent times. It will be very useful to analyze the political, religious, cultural and economic ties between the two Islamic countries.
To begin with, both countries are part of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and this provides them with an important platform to work together on regional and global issues.
Politically, the two countries have divergent views on foreign policy. It is quite evident that Saudi Arabia is a close ally of the United States while Turkey is more sympathetic towards Iran, Syria and Qatar. This has also caused some disagreements between the two countries in terms of supporting various rebel groups in Syria and elsewhere in the Arab world. Moreover, Saudi Arabia has imposed a blockade on Qatar, which has drawn strong criticism from Turkey.
In terms of religious relations, Turkey and Saudi Arabia both adhere to the Sunni interpretation of Islam. This is the common factor which binds them together apart from the political issues. They both share the same interpretation of Islamic religion and culture and together they have visibility in the international arena.
In terms of economy, Turkish companies are investing heavily in the Saudi market, particularly in sectors such as energy, construction and finance. In recent years, the two countries have signed several investment deals worth billions of dollars. This is a clear sign of the strong economic ties between them.
To sum up, it is evident that Turkey and Saudi Arabia have strong political, religious and economic ties. Despite the occasional tensions between them, the two countries share a common Islamic culture and work together on regional issues.
Political Alliances
The relationship between Saudi Arabia and Turkey is heavily impacted by the political alliances of each nation. Initially, the two countries had similar views on many regional issues, including supporting rebel groups in Syria. However, in recent times, Saudi Arabia has become a close ally of the United States whereas Turkey has been more sympathetic towards Iran, Syria and Qatar. The current political tensions between the two countries have become evident in the blockade of Qatar imposed by Saudi Arabia.
Furthermore, there have been discrepancies between the two countries in terms of the Muslim Brotherhood. While Turkey provides support for the movement, Saudi Arabia considers the group to be a terrorist organisation. This further leads to increased tensions in the region.
Moreover, there have been heated discussions between Turkey and Saudi Arabia over the nature of the military coup that overthrew former Egyptian President Muhammad Mursi. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticised the overthrow as being a violation of democracy, whereas Saudi Arabia supported it, as it was seen as favouring stability in the region.
Despite these political disagreements, the two countries are still members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, which creates an important link between them. Nevertheless, these differences are important to consider, as they hamper efforts for genuine cooperation and forging regional unity.
Economic Ties
Turkey and Saudi Arabia are also connected by strong economic ties. Turkish companies are heavily investing in the Saudi market in sectors such as energy, construction and finance. This is particularly evident in the massive investments on projects such as the Red Sea Gateway, which is a $10 billion expansion of the Jeddah airport. In addition, Saudi firms are also taking advantage of the lucrative Turkish real estate market by investing in the tourism and construction sectors.
Moreover, the two countries have also been pushing forward to establish free trade agreements and preferential trade agreements. For instance, in 2016, the two countries signed a protocol to establish a free trade agreement between them. In addition, numerous agreements have been signed between the two nations in order to establish economic and technological cooperation.
The economic partnership between Turkey and Saudi Arabia is also taking a more regional scope. The two countries have agreed to develop a new coordination council that would facilitate the exchange of information and expertise in areas such as energy, technology and industry. This would have a positive impact on economic development in the region.
Cultural Exchange
Apart from the political and economic aspects, Turkey and Saudi Arabia also share a common Islamic culture and religion. In recent years, there has been an increase in cultural exchange between the two countries. For instance, the Al-Turki Al-Turki Cultural Centre in Saudi Arabia provides school and university students with an opportunity to learn more about the Turkish language and culture. It also hosts conferences and lectures to provide a platform to exchange ideas and inform the public about the cultures of both countries.
In addition, both countries have facilitated the exchange of students and academics through programmes such as the Turkish-Saudi Cultural Cooperation Council. Through this programme, students from both countries have the opportunity to benefit from a fully-funded exchange programme.
Moreover, the two nations often organise joint exhibitions in key cities such as Riyadh and Istanbul in order to increase the cultural exchange between them. The exhibitions showcase art, music, literature, architecture and food from the countries. This helps to further cultivate a deep understanding of each other’s culture.
Geopolitical Role
Turkey and Saudi Arabia together have a key role to play in the region and beyond. Through the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, they have an important platform to address global issues such as terrorism, poverty, and environmental degradation. This collaboration also helps them to pursue shared interests in the region, particularly with regards to energy.
Furthermore, the two nations have openly voiced support for Palestinian rights and have been working on a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This has been demonstrated through continued engagement and negotiations between the countries. The two nations have also intensified their diplomatic efforts with regards to the Syrian crisis.
Moreover, Saudi Arabia and Turkey have followed a united approach towards the war in Yemen. The two countries share intelligence, and provide support to Arab Coalition forces. This support has significantly helped Yemen in its battle against the Al Houthis.
In conclusion, it is evident that there are strong political, economic, and cultural ties between Saudi Arabia and Turkey. Despite the disagreements, both countries are committed to maintaining close ties and working together to build better relations in the region.
Conclusion
To summarise, Turkey and Saudi Arabia have a complex relationship which is based on mutual respect and similar Islamic culture. This has enabled them to pursue shared interests in the international arena. Politically, the countries have divergent views on certain regional and global issues, however, this has not stopped them from cooperating on matters such as the terrorist threat, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the crisis in Yemen. In addition, the two countries also have strong economic and cultural ties, which have been further strengthened by programmes such as the Turkish-Saudi Cultural Cooperation Council, and by the Al-Turki Al-Turki Cultural Centre. Overall, it can be seen that there is still great potential for further collaboration between the two countries.
