On Tuesday, Turkey will discuss the Israeli war in Gaza and regional relations during the Arab League ministerial meeting in Cairo for the first time in 13 years. While Turkey has condemned Israel’s conduct in Gaza and supported efforts to accuse Israel of genocide at the International Court of Justice, its relationship with the Arab League has been strained.
Despite better relations with Egypt, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, Ankara remains at odds with other members, most notably Syria. Turkey’s participation in a joint contact group formed by the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) attempts to bring an end to the Gaza conflict. The invitation issued to Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan demonstrates increased interest in Turkey’s regional role and the deepening of ties with Arab League countries, according to the source.
To address ongoing regional difficulties, Turkey aspires to strengthen institutional ties and promote collaboration with the Arab League.
Meanwhile, Ankara and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are in talks to finalise a free-trade agreement by the end of the year. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called on Islamic nations to form a united front against Israel’s “expansionism.”
Turkey last attended an Arab League conference in 2011, when then-Prime Minister Erdogan addressed the organisation in Cairo.
