Alwaght-
Indications assure that the Saudis are attempting to form a anti-Iran collation
to counter Iran’s growing influence in the Middle East. The Saudi monarchy and
its hardliner new king Salman bin Abdul Aziz are disturbed over the growing
influence of Iran over Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen, for which Saudis feel
besieged.
The new
monarch has used summits with leaders of all five Persian Gulf
Arab states, in addition to Jordan, Egypt and Turkey over the past 10 days to emphasize the
need for unity and find a way to work around disagreements over the Muslim Brotherhood.
In
this regard, the Saudi monarchy aims to create a block against Iran. The recent
Saudi invitations for both Egyptian and Turkish Presidents to visit Riyadh came
in this context. Recep Tayyip Erdogan said after meeting Salman Bin Abdul Aziz that
Saudi Arabia is willing to resolve the dispute between Turkey and Egypt.
Erdogan’s visit to Saudi Arabia is also a sign of the Saudi-shift toward Turkey
and the formation of the aforementioned “axis”. Despite the political
differences existing between the two countries, the new Saudi King wants to
engage Turkey in this effort.
During
King Abdullah’s rule, who died in January this year, the two countries had an
unpleasant relationship due to the stiff opposition from Turkey of the
dismissal of the former Islamist President Mohammad Mursi.
Despite
Iranian’s authorities serious efforts to improve relations with Saudi Arabia,
the relations between the two countries continue to remain cold. In fact, since
the Islamic revolution in Iran, no warm relationships existed between the two
countries, largely because of the influence of Saudi’s Shiite neighbor in the
region.
Riyadh's
biggest concern is Shiite Iran. Nuclear
talks between Iran and 5+1 has
embarrassed Saudi regime.
King
Salman thinks that the formation of a collation between Saudi, Turkey, and
Egypt will be an effective solution for Iran’s growing influence in the region
and will halt what he calls Iran’s expansionist aims.
Consultations in Riyadh
Recently, Abdel-Fattah Al
Sisi had a meeting with King Salman in Riyadh during the presence of Turkish
President Erdogan in Saudi Arabia. The Egyptian leader stressed that the mere
coincidence is “random”. However, before meeting King Salman, in an interview
with Alarabia news network, in a response to the question whether Egypt is
committed to negotiations with Turkey to improve the relations between the two
countries, Al Sisi said: “As a matter of principle, no one should intervene in
the internal affairs or disagree with the facts on the ground in Egypt. We
respect the right of others to manage their own affairs.”
The diplomatic relations
between Egypt and Turkey decreased after the toppling of Mohammad Mursi. Recep
Tayyip Erdogan now has been following a gentle tone towards Egypt, unlike the
pattern he pursued after the dismissal of Mursi. Erdogan told reporters on his
return from Riyadh, that King Salman is seeking to improve the relationship
between Turkey and Egypt.
Erdogan also said that he
discussed the doubts Turkey has concerning the Egyptian government, but added:”
We cannot afford to ignore the existence of Egypt.” The Turkish president then
emphasized the importance of Egyptian stability:” Egypt, Saudi Arabia and
Turkey, are the three main countries of the region. We all have our duties towards
the peace and prosperity of the region, and I believe if all countries know what
their role is, it will be easier to reach good results.”
It is the first time that
Recep Tayyip Erdogan did not use harsh rhetoric tone against the Al Sisi’s
government. Erdogan was an ardent supporter of Mohammad Mursi and an outspoken
critic of Al Sisi-led military toppling of Mursi in 2013, and he repeatedly
considered the Egyptian President as “authoritarian”.
Egypt and Turkey are likely
to consider the Saudi offer to be of their own benefit. Although Egypt,
probably unlike Saudi, does not consider Iran as a direct threat, however it also considers its strategic relationship with Riyadh
crucial, since Saudi is one of its key financial backers. Additionally, the
renewed relationship with Turkey can economically benefit Egypt, as well as
Turkey will stop supporting Egyptian Brotherhood Movement.
Al Sisi makes this tendency
clear:” the only thing Egypt is looking for is resuming the normal relations
with Turkey, and that Turkey officially recognizes the current Egyptian
government and avoid intervention in Cairo’s internal affairs.”
Turkey was becoming more
and more isolated due to the differences with neighboring countries; therefore,
reestablishment of relations with Egypt will boost Ankara’s foreign policy. The
Turkish media considered Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Saudi as an attempt to
regain the influence Turkey have lost in the region.
It is now evident that the Turkish unfriendly
policy toward Egypt had negatively influenced Turkey’s international trade. Egypt
is ready to renew the agreements that allows Turkey to transit goods to the
Persian Gulf states and the countries of Central Africa. According to the
International Institute for maritime Transport in Turkey, If Ankara avoids
signing the new agreement in the next month; $500 million Turkish exports will
be in danger.
