In a significant step toward deepening bilateral relations, Türkiye and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed seven new cooperation agreements during a high-level ceremony attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The agreements were signed following a bilateral meeting and the inaugural session of the High-Level Strategic Council, co-chaired by President Erdoğan and President Al Nahyan. Speaking at the event, President Erdoğan highlighted the rapid progress achieved since his 2023 visit to Abu Dhabi, where the foundations of the Türkiye–UAE strategic partnership were laid.
“Our strategic partnership, initiated with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, has begun to bear fruit in nearly every field—from trade and infrastructure to defense, energy, technology, and transportation," President Erdoğan said. The President also noted that the UAE has become Türkiye's leading trade partner in the Middle East. “Just three years ago, we were wondering whether our bilateral trade volume could reach USD 10 billion. Today, we are aiming to exceed USD 20 billion, and with determined steps from both sides, we believe our medium-term goal of USD 40 billion is well within reach."
As part of this enhanced cooperation, Investment and Finance Office President A. Burak Dağlıoğlu and UAE Minister of Investment Mohammed Hassan Al Suwaidi signed four memoranda of understanding (MoUs) focused on key sectors, including tourism and hospitality, pharmaceuticals, industry and manufacturing, and food-agriculture.
Additionally, an MoU on cooperation in polar research was signed by Türkiye's Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır, and UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber.
Another MoU, establishing a Joint Consular Committee between the two governments, was signed by Türkiye's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nuh Yılmaz, and UAE Minister of State Khalifa Shaheen Al Marr.
Lastly, to further institutionalize collaboration, an MoU on the mutual protection of classified information was signed by Türkiye's Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler, and UAE Minister of State for Defense Affairs Mohammed Mubarak Al Mazrouei.
These agreements reflect the growing momentum in Türkiye–UAE relations and reaffirm both nations' shared commitment to expanding cooperation across a wide range of strategic sectors.