Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed concludes trip to Turkey

UAE announces establishment of strategic investment fund during visit to Ankara

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, is welcomed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Presidential Complex in Ankara. Photo: Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Mohamed inspects the Turkish Honour Guard with Mr Erdogan. Photo: Hamad Al Kaabi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

The main aim of Sheikh Mohamed’s visit is to enhance trade, business partnerships and investments with Turkey. Photo: Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

The invitation by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Sheikh Mohamed ‘truly marks a new era’ in further strengthening the ties between the UAE and Turkey, said Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and managing director and group chief executive of Adnoc, who is part of the delegation in Ankara. Photo: Hamad Al Kaabi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Mohamed said: ‘Today in Ankara I met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and we had fruitful discussions that focused on opportunities to strengthen our economic relations.’ Photo: @BrothersBinZayed twitter

Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Erdogan. Photo: Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

The two leaders reviewed the partnership between their countries in various fields, as well as regional and international issues of common interest. Photo: @BrothersBinZayed twitter

An official reception ceremony was held in honour of Sheikh Mohamed after the arrival of his delegation on the palatial grounds. Photo: @BrothersBinZayed twitter

Sheikh Mohamed brought a large delegation from the UAE, including Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, and Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed, National Security Adviser. Photo: @BrothersBinZayed twitter

Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Erdogan stand as the two countries' national anthems are played at the Presidential Complex. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed, National Security Adviser, greets Mr Erdogan. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Mohamed with Sheikh Mansour and Sheikh Tahnoun in Ankara. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Erdogan watch a signing ceremony between UAE Energy Minister Suhail Al Mazrouei and his Turkish equivalent Fatih Donmez. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Erdogan watch as an agreement is signed by Mr Al Mazrouei and Turkish Central Bank President Sehab Kavcioglu. Abdulla Al Neyadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Mohamed greets a Turkish delegation alongside Mr Erdogan. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Mansour attends a signing ceremony at the Presidential Complex. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Erdogan. Hamad Al Kaabi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and managing director and group chief executive of Adnoc, is greeted by Mr Erdogan. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad, chairman of Abu Dhabi Airports, is greeted by Mr Erdogan. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

From left, Fares Al Mazrouie, adviser at the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, Mariam Al Mheiri, Minister for Climate Change and Environment, Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, and Ali Al Shamsi, deputy secretary general of the Supreme National Security Council, at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, Turkey. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs ---

Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Erdogan watch a signing ceremony between Ms Al Mheiri and Murat Kurum, Turkish Minister of Environment and Urbanisation. Abdulla Al Neyadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Mohamed greets a Turkish delegate during the reception at the Presidential Complex, alongside Mr Erdogan. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Erdogan inspect the Turkish Armed Forces Honour Guard. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Erdogan witness the signing of an agreement by Ali Baalawi, head of the UAE Financial Intelligence Unit, and Hayrettin Kurt, head of the Financial Crimes Investigation Board of Turkey. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Part of the Turkish Armed Forces Honour Guard, with Turkish and UAE flags at the Presidential Complex in Ankara. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Jassem Al Zaabi, Vice Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Committee and Abu Dhabi Executive Council Member, is greeted by Mr Erdogan. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Mohamed with Sheikh Mansour, Sheikh Tahnoun, Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad, Dr Al Jaber, Ms Al Mheiri, Suhail Al Mazrouei, Mr Al Shamsi, Mr Al Zaabi and Mohamed Al Mazrouei at the Presidential Complex in Ankara. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Ms Al Mheiri greets Mr Erdogan, in Ankara. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Mansour, Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad and Dr Al Jaber at the meeting with Mr Erdogan. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Mansour, Sheikh Tahnoun and Mr Al Shamsi at the signing ceremony in Ankara. Abdulla Al Neyadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Undersecretary of the Crown Prince Court of Abu Dhabi, greets Mr Erdogan. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Erdogan witness the signing of an agreement between Mr Al Shamsi and Mehmet Mus, Turkish Minister of Trade. Abdulla Al Neyadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Erdogan at the ceremony, where an agreement was signed between Saeed Al Dhaheri, chief executive of the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, and Erisah Arican, chairman of Borsa Istanbul. Hamad Al Kaabi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Erdogan at the ceremony, where an agreement was signed between Mohamed Al Suwaidi, chief executive of the Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company and Burak Daglioglu, president of the Turkey Investment Office. Abdulla Al Neyadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Mr Erdogan with the Turkish delegation at the Presidential Complex. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Erdogan. Abdulla Al Neyadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad, Dr Al Jaber, Mr Al Zaabi, Mohamed Al Mazrouei and Mohamed Alabbar, founder and board member of Emaar Properties and chairman of Eagle Hills, at the Presidential Complex. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Ali Al Shamsi, deputy secretary general of the UAE Supreme National Security Council, with Mr Erdogan. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, travelled to Turkey on Wednesday for talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Sheikh Mohamed was invited to make the official visit to Ankara by the Turkish leader.

He was received at the presidential palace by Mr Erdogan.

An official reception ceremony was held in honour of Sheikh Mohamed after the arrival of his convoy on the palatial grounds.

A cavalry raised the flags of the two countries before Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Erdogan headed to a podium as the national anthems of the UAE and Turkey were played.

A 21-gun salute was fired as soldiers formed a guard of honour.

After talks between Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Erdogan, the UAE announced the establishment of a $10 billion fund to support investments in Turkey.

The fund will focus on strategic investments, including energy, health and food.

Several memorandums of understanding were also signed at a meeting attended by both Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Erdogan

At the end of the trip, Sheikh Mohamed expressed his gratitude for the warm hospitality extended to the UAE delegation.

"This visit has provided an opportunity to discuss ways of enhancing relations between our countries, in a way that will serve our common interests and benefit our two friendly peoples," he said in a cable of thanks on Wednesday evening.

The UAE delegation included Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed, National Security Adviser, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad, chairman of Abu Dhabi Airports Company.

Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, was also part of the high-level delegation.

He told Turkish broadcaster TRT World, that the countries are home to two of the "most dynamic economies" in the region.

"The main aim of Sheikh Mohamed’s visit is to create economic value through enhancing trade, business partnerships and investments," he said.

"The UAE and Turkey have two of the most dynamic economies and societies in the region. We both have diverse cultures, we are both focused on economic growth and we both believe that economic progress is key to achieving a sustainable future.

"This visit is significant in a number of ways. It comes at a time when both the UAE and Turkey are working together on a vision for a more peaceful, stable and prosperous future for the region. This collaboration is centred around tolerance, mutual benefit, shared interests and building bridges."

Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Mariam Al Mheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, and Minister of State for Food Security, and Ali Al Shamsi, deputy secretary general of the Supreme National Security Council, are also among the officials.

Also in attendance are Jassim Al Zaabi, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Finance and member of the Executive Council, Faris Al Mazrouei, Adviser at the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, Mohamed Al Mazrouei, undersecretary of the Crown Prince Court of Abu Dhabi, Ali Ba’Alawi, head of the UAE Financial Intelligence Unit, Mohammed Al Neyadi, Charge d’Affairs of the UAE Embassy in Turkey, Mohamed Al Suwaidi, chief executive of ADQ, Mohamed Al Shamsi, group chief executive of Abu Dhabi Ports, Saeed Al Dhaheri, chief executive of Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, and Mohamed Al Abbar, chairman of Eagle Hills developers.

Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Erdogan previously exchanged views on various topics in a phone call in August.

They explored the prospects of building relations between the countries during that call.

Those talks came days after a UAE delegation met Mr Erdogan in Ankara to discuss ways to consolidate ties between the two countries, particularly in the fields of trade, transport, health and energy.

The Emirati delegation was led by Sheikh Tahnoun.