Saudi Arabia and Turkey: Is Egypt an obstacle?

The hospitality bestowed on Saudi King Salman by the Turkish government and parliamentarians during his visit to that country was exceptional. There is indeed a strong desire to turn the page of the Arab Spring.

Turkey’s enthusiasm toward developments in Egypt was excessive. The country could have dissociated itself from this embarrassing situation. The royal visit brought optimism to the Turks - optimism that they will be closer to the Gulf and thus to the entire Arabs. Turkey has economic needs and some people have warned about serious economic conditions.

Establishment of the Saudi-Turkish Coordination Council marks a new beginning. Turkish political elite’s defense of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt is no secret. Altering of this position was expected to be more difficult.

Rapprochement?

Some considered that a Saudi-Turkish rapprochement in the wake of this intransigence regarding Egypt’s June 30 revolution was impossible. However, another school of thought suggests that the two governments can work together on the basis of their mutual needs and thus forget about the reason of dispute and keep it contained within discussions and dialogue as there might come a day when relations between Turkey and Egypt improve.

Turkey needs rapprochement with the Gulf countries which, in the mid 1990s, contributed significantly toward its plans to lay down the foundations for cooperation serving both sides.

If it wants, Turkey can be more involved in the axis of Gulf moderation which is fighting the forces of darkness that are supported by the renegade Iranian regime.

This article was first published by Okaz on April 17, 2016.
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Turki Al-Dakhil is the General Manager of Al Arabiya News Channel. He began his career as a print journalist, covering politics and culture for the Saudi newspapers Okaz, Al-Riyadh and Al-Watan. He then moved to pan-Arab daily Al-Hayat and pan-Arab news magazine Al-Majalla. Turki later became a radio correspondent for the French-owned pan-Arab Radio Monte Carlo and MBC FM. He proceeded to Elaph, an online news magazine and Alarabiya.net, the news channel’s online platform. Over a ten-year period, Dakhil’s weekly Al Arabiya talk show “Edaat” (Spotlights) provided an opportunity for proponents of Arab and Islamic social reform to make their case to a mass audience. Turki also owns Al Mesbar Studies and Research Centre and Madarek Publishing House in Dubai. He has received several awards and honors, including the America Abroad Media annual award for his role in supporting civil society, human rights and advancing women’s roles in Gulf societies. He tweets @TurkiAldakhil.