United Arab Emirates

Paying the first Turkish Presidential visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 15 years, President Gül, drawing attention to the fact that the bilateral relations between the two countries have reached a strategic cooperation level, urged the UAE businessmen to invest in Turkey during the Turkey-UAE Business Forum as well, averring: “The Turkish economy has proved itself twice during the last two crises. Let us evaluate these advantages we are enjoying and demonstrate a good example for resolute cooperation and solidarity.”

Official
Welcoming Ceremony

Sheikh Zayed Mosque

Turkish Embassy

Turkey-UAE Business Forum

President Abdullah Gül along with First Lady Hayrünnisa Gül paid a state visit to the UAE upon the invitation of the UAE President and Abu Dhabi Amir, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan. The President was welcomed by the Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, Sheikh Mansour; the Foreign Minister, Shiekh Abdullah bin Zayed al Nahyan; the Finance Minister, Sultan bin Saeed Mansouri and the Turkish Ambassador to Abu Dhabi, Vural Altay at Abu Dhabi Airport.

CALLIGRAPHER HASAN ÇELEBI AND THE MOSQUE

On the second day of his schedule in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), President Abdullah Gül explored the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, one of the world’s biggest mosques, and the Turkish Embassy in Abu Dhabi.

Laureate of the 2012 Presidential Culture and Art Grand Award, Hasan Çelebi, some of whose works the Sheikh Zayed Mosque has, informed the President about these works of his during his exploration of the mosque. Accompanying the President during his visit to the mosque were the First Lady, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu, Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek and his spouse Esra Şimşek as well as the UAE Finance Minister Sultan bin Saeed Mansouri.

President Gül, afterwards, visited the Turkish Embassy in Abu Dhabi where he was informed about the embassy’s activities by Ambassador Vural Altay.

GÜL MEETS WITH SHEIKH KHALIFA OF THE UAE

President Abdullah Gül was welcomed at Mushrif Palace by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) President and Abu Dhabi Amir Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan with an official ceremony.

President Gül and Sheikh Khalifa afterwards had a tete-a-tete.

The President, prior to the bilateral talk he conducted with Sheikh Khalifa of the UAE, evinced his pleasure with the level the two countries have reached and underscored the importance of Turkish-Gulf countries relations, offering his thanks to his UAE counterpart for his successful chairmanship of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The UAE President afterwards hosted a luncheon in honor of President Abdullah Gül.

THE FIRST LADY MEETS WITH SHEIKHA FATIMA OF THE UAE

Accompanying President Gül on his visit to the UAE, First Lady Hayrünnisa attended the luncheon given in her honor by Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the mother of the Abu Dhabi Amir, Sheikh Khalifa.

THE FIRST LADY VISITS THE GWU

Mrs. Gül, after meeting with Sheikha Fatima, attended the luncheon given in her honor. The First Lady later visited the General Women’s Union, where she was welcomed with flowers.

Accompanied by the UAE State Minister, Maitha al Shamsi, during her visit to the GWU, the First Lady watched a promotional clip and was informed about the union’s activities by the Chairman of the Union, Noura al Suwaidi.

Exploring an exhibition of the handiworks and trappings, Mrs. Gül, after signing the Book of Honor and chatting with a group of women, had a memoir photo taken with them as well.

PRESIDENT VISIT TO ZAYED UNIVERSITY AND MASDAR CITY

Exploring, as part of his schedule in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Zayed University and Masdar City erected as the world’s first ecological city, the President was welcomed by the Higher Education and Scientific Researches Minister of the UAE, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak al Nahyan upon his arrival at Zayed University. After chatting with the Rector, Deans and a group of students,the President was informed about the university and its activities by the Rector and conducted a teleconference talk with students of Turkey’s Bilkent University as well.

The President further explored the world’s first ecological city, Masdar City, whose construction work is being carried out and he enjoyed an electric automobile drive which can move without a driver indeed.

The President, in Masdar City, signed a touch-operated signature in the Book of Honor and was informed about the electronic screen by a Turkish student named Abdullah Kaya, continuing his post graduate studies in Abu Dhabi.

DINNER IN HONOR OF THE FIRST COUPLE

After attending the official dinner give in their honor by the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan, the First Couple proceeded to Dubai.

Official Dinner

Dubai Metro

TURKEY-UAE BUSINESS FORUM HELD IN DUBAI

On the third day of his visit, President Abdullah Gül attended the Turkey-UAE Business Forum in Dubai at which he delivered a speech at the beginning of which he predicted that a new chapter will be opened with his state visit, pointing to the necessary political will the two countries’ administrations have. Lauding the UAE for its dazzling developments since 2005 when he visited the country as Foreign Minister, the President underscored the UAE’s dexterity to get organized and work in great discipline, congratulating the UAE officials for having the necessary vision for the accomplishments they have reached.

In the last decade, President Gül indicated, Turkey has achieved great changes and realized extraordinary transformations, including the affirmative amendments in its legal, political and economic system, thus he noted the investment opportunities have been boosted considerably. He further stated that Turkey has raised its standards to the EU level, adding that it has been a Customs Union member since 1996, which he said makes Turkey compete with Europe’s most industrialized countries. The President further indicated their aim to double the existing 5 billion dollars of trade volume between the two countries and pointed to the contributions of the Turkish firms to the development of the UAE through their huge projects in the country.

Drawing attention to the many areas the UAE businessmen can invest in such sectors as industry, agriculture, husbandry, tourism, health and transportation, President Gül said the Turkish administration has created the necessary atmosphere where they can conduct business in the country, calling upon his audience, saying: “Let us evaluate these advantages we are enjoying and demonstrate a good example for resolute cooperation and solidarity.”

GÜL MEETS WITH MAKTOUM OF DUBAI

After the business council, President Gül attended the luncheon given in his honor by the UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Dubai Amir, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum. Meanwhile, First Lady Hayrünnisa Gül had a bilateral talk with the spouse of the Dubai Amir, Princess Haya bint al Hussein.

GÜL MEETS WITH TURKISH EXPATRIATES

In the evening, the President, getting together with the Turkish citizens residing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and evinced his pride in observing their accomplishments. Averring his happiness to be with the Turkish expatriates in the UAE, he informed them about the talks he had conducted with the UAE officials, pointing to the Turkish citizens’ role in the consolidation of the bilateral relations between the two countries.

The President further referring to the importance of the economic relations between Turkey and the UAE stated that the Turkish expatriates represent the motherland in the best way with the significant responsibilities they take on and with the important duties they hold in the UAE, evincing his pride in observing their accomplishments and pointing to their great contributions to the development of this country.

President Gül, mentioning Turkish TV serials running on the UAE channels, said there is a cultural dimension of the bilateral relations between the two countries as well.

The First Couple, afterwards, chatted with the Turkish expatriates attending the gathering.

GÜL’S REMAINING SCHEDULE IN THE UAE

President Gül, as part of his schedule on the last day of his official visit to the UAE, visited the Rixos Hotel, which is to be opened on March 9, 2012.

Welcomed by the Rixos Group CEO, Fettah Tamince and other officials in front of the hotel, President Gül and the First Lady enjoyed the beautiful scenery of Dubai from the hotel located on the very edge of the man-made palm island.

Having completed his program in the UAE, President Gül left for Ankara.