December,
2021
UAE activates its diplomacy
Three Reasons for Active Diplomacy
There are three reasons that make the UAE
active in diplomacy. The first one is that the United States withdrew from the
Middle East (including Afghanistan) and shifted to "Free and Open
Indo-Pacific Strategy (FOIP) ". The United States lost interesting about
the Middle East. As the results, Middle East became instability. Middle East
countries acknowledged that own diplomacy became more important.
The second reason is that the UAE has restored
diplomatic relations with Israel. The Arab countries and Israel had been
hostile each other. But a new WIN-WIN relationship was created in the Middle
East in terms of economy. Dubai of UAE took the remarkable advantage.
The third reason is that crack in the GCC
(Gulf Cooperation Council), which consists of six Gulf monarchy nations
including the UAE, is growing swiftly recent years. The dispute over the Muslim
Brotherhood between Qatar and three fellow countries, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and
Bahrain, was settled last year. But this has weakened the prestigious status of
Saudi Arabia[1]. In
addition, the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi has damaged the reputation
of the Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman (MBS) of Saudi Arabia. UAE feels free from
Saudi Arabia to carry out its own diplomacy.
Active Diplomatic by MBZ and Ministers
There were many examples of active diplomacy
by MBZ, Foreign Ministers and other dignitaries in recent months. On October 9,
the UAE Minister of Economy agreed to economic cooperation with Syria[2].
On November 9, Foreign Minister met with Syrian President Basher al-Assad in
Damascus[3].
UAE had severed diplomatic ties with Syria in 2012, and reopened the embassy in
2018 following the return of Syria to member of the Arab League. On 19
November, MBZ met US Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin and discussed about
regional affairs[4]. He
also had telephone calls with the Presidents of Egypt and Iraq respectively on
25 November[5].
Furthermore, on Nov 22, Presidential Advisor and ex-Foreign Minister Anwar Gargash
met Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister in Dubai[6].
These facts tell that UAE is seeking its own
diplomacy in the wake of the US withdrawal from the Middle East. MBZ's visit to
Turkey was the highlight. He visited Turkey on November 24 and met President Erdogan[7].
So far, the relation between UAE and Turkey was not cooperative. In the 2016
Turkish coup attempt, Turkey accused the UAE of providing financial support to
rebels. In addition, Turkey sent its troops to Qatar when Qatar severed the
diplomatic ties with UAE. In the Libyan civil war, Turkey supported the Libyan
orthodox government, while UAE supported the Haftar militia of rebels and
bombed capital Tripoli. However, when MBZ visited Turkey, he announced to set
up a $ 10 billion investment fund[8]
to support Turkish economy, which was in serious condition due to the recession
caused by the corona disaster, high inflation and collapse of currency. UAE's
support was a welcome rain during the dry weather. President Erdogan appreciated
UAE very much, and he offered his visit to UAE in February next year[9].
Improvement of relations between the UAE and
Israel is also providing the UAE with a new business opportunity. The UAE concluded
diplomatic ties with Israel in 2019 mediated by ex-US President Donald Trump. An
agreement named Abraham Accord after a common ancestor of Judaism and Islam,
was signed between two countries. Israel opened its embassy in Abu Dhabi which
was the first one in the Gulf countries. Abu Dhabi national flight landed on in
Tel Aviv. A trilateral economic cooperation project has been established
between UAE, Israel and Jordan. The project produces solar power in Jordan with
UAE’s financial assistance and export the electricity to Israel. Israel
supplies Jordan with natural gas in return[10].
The third reason of UAE's active diplomacy is that
the control by Saudi Arabia against other GCC member countries became weaker. In
the past, five GCC countries including the UAE and Qatar obeyed to Saudi Arabia
passively due to the strong leadership of Saudi Arabia backed by the United
States. Saudi Arabia concludes Jewish Israel, Shiite Iran and Sunni Muslim
Brotherhood as Islamic extremists. Saudi Arabia forces other GCC countries as
these powers are the threat to the Gulf monarchies. However, Qatar has
increased its international presence by partnering with Turkey to repel Saudi
pressure. Qatar and Turkey are to act as a intermediator between the Taliban
administration of Afghanistan and Western countries.
The UAE's restoration of diplomatic relations
with Israel ahead of Saudi Arabia also weakens GCC cohesion. In Saudi Arabia,
King Salman and Crown Prince Muhammad (MBS) have different views on the
diplomatic policy toward Israel. The assassination of journalist Khashoggi has lost
the international trust of MBS. These phenomena produced the crack among GCC
members. UAE needs not to take Saudi Arabia into consideration.
The UAE, which took advantage in diplomatic
activities, is trying to raise its prestige not only in the Middle East but
also in the world. In addition to the Expo currently being held in Dubai, UAE was
recently elected as the top of Interpol (International Criminal Police
Organization)[11]. UAE
also proposed as the host country of United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28)
in 2023 following COP27 to be held in Cairo next year[12].
It is extremely interesting to see what kind
of diplomatic activities the UAE will adopt in the future.
By Areha Kazuya
E-mail: Arehakazuya1@gmail.com
[1] ‘Saudi Diplomacy Fallen to the Ground Part1: Unconditionally
Reconciled GCC Summit’
http://ocininitiative.maeda1.jp/202101SaudiDiplomacy1English.pdf
[2] UAE and
Syria agree to ‘enhance economic cooperation’
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1945311/middle-east
2021/10/10
Arab News
[3] UAE
foreign minister meets with Bashar Assad in Damascus
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1964731/middle-east
2021/11/9
Arab News
[4] Abu Dhabi
crown prince and US defense secretary discuss strategic bilateral relations
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1972511/middle-east
2021/11/21
Arab News
[5] Abu Dhabi
crown prince holds separate talks with Egypt, Iraq leaders
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1975641/middle-east
2021/11/26
Arab News
[6] UAE and
Iran to develop ties in ‘new chapter in relations’
https://www.arabnews.jp/en/middle-east/article_60222/
2021/11/24
Arab News
[7] Erdoğan
hosts MBZ as Turkey, UAE seek to repair bilateral ties
2021/11/24
Daily Sabah
[8] UAE
announces $10 billion fund for investments in Turkey
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1974661/business-economy
2021/11/24
Arab News
[9] Turkey’s Erdogan says he will visit UAE in February
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1977636/middle-east
2021/11/29 Arab News
[10] Jordan,
Israel, UAE ink energy-for-water agreement
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1973331/middle-east
2021/11/23
Arab News
[11] UPDATED:
Interpol elects United Arab Emirates official as president
2021/11/25
Ahram Online
[12] Egypt
officially selected to host UN COP27
https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/439514.aspx
2021/11/11
Ahram Online
