By Janet Ekstract, ISTANBUL – Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is in the UAE for talks that will focus on several major issues, according to Turkish diplomatic sources. The sources told the press that Turkiye will “confirm its full solidarity with the UAE, one of the countries most affected by the war in the Gulf.” Fidan along with Emirati officials plan to review preparations for the second upcoming meeting of the High-Level Strategic Council. Sources explained that Fidan will reiterate how outside intervention has worsened conflicts in the region and underscore the need to strengthen “regional ownership.” Fidan has reiterated this concept and emphasized that “imperialist powers” need to keep from intervening. The Turkish foreign minister is expected to highlight the importance of freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait for regional and global stability, and to emphasize that a united Yemen is critical to Mideast security. Turkish sources said Fidan will also stress that the second phase of U.S. President Donald Trump’s Peace Plan for Gaza, begin without delay.
Turkish sources said Fidan was also expected to say that the second phase of the Peace Plan for Gaza should begin without delay, humanitarian conditions should be improved, and reconstruction efforts should be launched. In this context, he is anticipated to hold consultations on the work of the Board of Peace, of which both countries are founding members. Fidan is also expected to underscore how important it is that humanitarian conditions improve and that reconstruction efforts must start as soon as possible. He will also hold consultations about the work of the Board of Peace which Turkiye and the UAE are both members of. Fidan is also expected to note how crucial the role of the international community is in taking a determined and united stance to preserve and create a permanent ceasefire in Gaza as well as Lebanon despite ongoing attacks by “occupier Israel,” according to sources. Turkiye and the UAE have had a strategic partnership since 2023. On July 16, 2025, the first meeting of the High-Level Strategic Council was held at the leaders’ level in Ankara between Turkiye and the UAE. Currently, the UAE has the largest investments of any of the Gulf countries in Turkiye as well as being Turkiye’s largest trading partner with trade between the countries reaching $19.346 billion in 2025.
