AMMAN —
Jordanian-Turkish ties ought to witness a remarkable development that can
only strengthen their historical relationship, further benefit their economic
and political interests, and align their positions vis-à-vis major regional and
international conflicts, political and economic analysts say.
اضافة اعلان
The relations between the two countries go back to
the 1930s, when King Abdullah I made the first official visit by an Arab leader
to the Turkish Republic and was received by the then Turkish president, Mustafa
Kemal Ataturk.
Political relationship
Political analyst and
columnist
Amer Al-Sabaileh told
Jordan News that Jordan perceives Turkey
as a significant player in the region, where it plays a vital role in many
regional issues, including the Syrian and Palestinian conflicts.
He said that the
relationship had improved since the Arab Spring, when Jordan had a clear
position against Turkish politics regarding the support for the Islamic
Brotherhood in
Egypt and the Qatar blockade.
“For two years, there have been attempts to bring
Turkish-Jordanian relations closer. The change in the relationship between the
UAE and Turkey enabled Jordan to take another step forward in this relation,”
Sabaileh said.
Turkey can now play a role in calming the situation
in West Bank and Gaza, he claimed, where escalations are expected due to the
constant Israeli violations of Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Former State Minister for Media Affairs
Mohammad Momani told
Jordan News that there is a” robust political engagement”
between Jordan and Turkey, which agree on different issues that can
strengthen stability in the Middle East.
Momani believes that the Turkish president’s visit,
slated for the middle of this week, will clarify many pending issues,
especially at economic level, since there is room for stronger economic
collaboration, including through “the ambitious long-term plan to start a
Turkish industrial zone in Al-Mafraq area, in addition to renegotiating the
free trade agreement”.
“Jordan sees that there can be a constructive
Turkish role in the region, and we value the exchange of ideas regarding the
Palestinian and other issues that affect peace and security regionally and
globally,” Momani said.
Political writer and analyst
Hamadeh Faraneh told
Jordan News that the visit comes at a time many “vital issues” are
happening on the regional and global political scene.
According to him, Jordan and Turkey have common interests
in the Russian-Ukrainian, Syrian conflict, and Israeli-Palestinian conflicts.
He said the leaders of the two countries are expected to further their
collaboration in these matters, especially after the recent visit of the
Israeli president to both countries, and in light of the expected escalations
in Gaza and the West Bank.
Faraneh also expects Jordan to encourage
Turkey to
change its hostile position toward the Syrian regime.
He also said that Erdogan will possibly squander
rumors about Turkey’s ambition to become the legal guardian of the Islamic
sites in Jerusalem, over which the Hashemites have custody.
Economic relationship
Political economy specialist
Zayyan Zawaneh told
Jordan News that the Jordanian-Turkish relations are
“based on decades of proven solidity and observance of the two countries’
interests, even in the most delicate stages”, adding that the balance of trade
has always tilted in Turkey’s favor.
According to Zawaneh, the two countries should
strengthen their economic collaboration and “encourage investment in many
booming sectors such as technology, mining, agriculture, construction, defense,
transportation, and tourism, which would pave the way for deepening the common
interest”.
Economic analyst
Mazen Irsheid told
Jordan News that over the past 12 years, the balance of trade between the two countries was
clearly in Turkey’s favour, as its exports to Jordan stood at 90 percent.
However, he noted that Jordan’s exports to Turkey have increased by 10 percent
in the past three years, which is why the free trade agreement failed and
“could be revived now”.
“It is positive that Turkey allowed more
Jordanian exports. However, Turkey is an industrial country and cannot be compared to
Jordan, so it makes sense that the balance of trade is leaning toward Turkey,”
Irsheid said.
He added that Jordan should collaborate with Turkey
in significant sectors, like renewable energy and food, so it can benefit from
Turkish expertise.
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