Date: October 31, 2023 Update: October 12, 2024
According to the original report of Emirates News Agency (WAM) on October 30, 2023, the discussions are a progression from a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in July, underscoring a mutual commitment to strategic defense industry cooperation.
Abu Dhabi served as the platform for this crucial exchange, which promises to lay the groundwork for enhanced technology management and acquisition strategy synergies between the UAE and Türkiye.
The Working Group's creation marks a milestone that trails the state visit by Türkiye's President, Recep Tayyip ERDOĞAN, to the UAE, signaling a new era of cooperative innovation and strategic defence alignment.
Muammar Abdulla ABUSHEHAB, Tawazun Council's CEO, emphasized the meeting's centrality to the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with Türkiye, heralding it as a step towards realizing shared strategic objectives in defence. Shareef Al HASHMI, Operations CEO at Tawazun, also remarked on the meeting's success in fostering a foundational partnership.
Highlighting the significance of Türkiye-UAE relations, Mustafa ŞEKER, SSB's Vice President, referred to the meeting as a gateway to future defence industry collaboration.
The robust economic ties between the UAE and Türkiye have seen non-oil trade exceed US$103 billion over the past decade, with a comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement poised to further trade aspirations.
The next Working Group meeting is anticipated to convene in Türkiye in 2024, aiming to build on the solidified foundations laid in Abu Dhabi.