Erdogan to Visit Gulf States to Bolster Economic and Regional Cooperation

President Erdogan will visit Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman from October 21 to 23 to strengthen political, economic, and defense ties. The trip aims to expand trade, investment, and energy cooperation through new bilateral agreements. It reflects Türkiye’s efforts to deepen relations with Gulf states and position itself as a key regional mediator amid shifting Middle East dynamics.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set to embark on a significant three-day diplomatic tour of the Gulf region from October 21 to 23, visiting Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman. This visit, announced by the Turkish Presidency, comes at the invitation of the respective leaders of the three Gulf states and is part of Türkiye’s broader strategy to deepen regional partnerships and reaffirm its growing role as a regional power broker.

According to Burhanettin Duran, Head of Presidential Communications, the visit will prioritize the enhancement of political, economic, and defense ties. Discussions are expected to address both bilateral and regional issues, including the coordination of positions on key international developments. Erdogan is scheduled to sign a number of bilateral agreements during the trip, focusing on expanding cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, and energy. These agreements are seen as part of Ankara’s push to secure long-term economic collaboration with wealthy Gulf nations and to attract new investment into the Turkish economy.

The visit also signals a continuation of Türkiye’s diplomatic reset with Gulf states, following years of strained relations due to diverging geopolitical interests. In recent years, however, relations have improved substantially, underpinned by high-level visits and major economic deals. Erdogan's tour reflects Türkiye’s intention to build on this momentum and institutionalize cooperation through formal agreements and strategic dialogue.

The timing of the visit is also notable, occurring against the backdrop of growing instability in the Middle East, including ongoing conflicts and realignments among key regional actors. Türkiye has sought to position itself as a mediator in regional disputes, leveraging its strategic location, military capabilities, and expanding diplomatic influence. Erdogan’s engagement with Gulf leaders is likely to include discussions on shared security concerns and potential joint efforts to address regional challenges.

This marks Erdogan’s second high-profile tour of the Gulf in just over a year, following his July 2023 visit, which yielded multi-billion-dollar agreements and signaled a major thaw in relations. The current trip is expected to reinforce Türkiye’s long-term strategy of balancing its traditional alliances while expanding its role as a key actor in the Gulf and the broader Middle East.