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November 2022
Bernd
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Qatar-Iran-Turkey relations: a trio of regional players
Qatar-Iran-Turkey relations
Despite the end of the Saudi embargo from 2017-2021, Doha-Tehran relations have been maintained and deepened. The same is true of Doha-Ankara relations[1].
In the case of Turkey, Ankara has expanded the capacity of its military base in Doha and has deployed over 5,000 troops there[2]. Several defence agreements have been signed, such as the June 2021 agreement on pilot training in Turkey[3]. In March 2022, at the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition (DIMDEX), the Qatari Ministry of Defence and four defence companies, including two Turkish companies, signed agreements and contracts for services and technology transfer[4].
For its part, Qatar has injected $15 billion into the Turkish economy, including at a time when the Turkish lira was significantly weakened (2018)[5]. In 2020, Turkey transferred 10 % of Istanbul Stock Exchange shares to the Qatar Investment Authority[6]. The latter bought for USD 1 billion the transfer of 42 % of the shares of one of Turkey's largest shopping centres, Istinye Park, located on Qatar Street in Istanbul[7]. In 2020 alone, total investment from Qatar to Turkey was $22 billion[8]. In 2021, this amount has increased to $ 33.2 billion, making Qatar the second largest investor in the country[9]. Since the creation of the Turkey-Qatar High Strategic Committee in 2014, 80 cooperation agreements were signed in many areas[10].
In addition, during the land, sea and air embargo, Doha received supplies from Turkish and Iranian planes and ships[11]. In June 2017 alone, in addition to a first ship loaded with 4,000 tons of food that sailed to Doha, Ankara had already sent 105 cargo planes with food aid to Qatar[12]. At the same time, Tehran was sending four cargo planes with food, and planned to send 100 tons of fruit and vegetables to Doha every day to prevent a food crisis in the country[13]. Finally, the flights of Qatar Airways, one of the world's largest airlines, were able to bypass the embargo, now transiting through Iran and Turkey[14].
Apart from logistical and humanitarian support, in many areas Qatar has formed a geopolitical alliance with Tehran and Ankara - mainly against Saudi Arabia[15]. In 2017, shortly after the Saudi embargo was put in place, the three countries signed an agreement on trade and transport[16]. The end of the embargo in 2021, decided at the Al Ula summit, did not put an end to the cooperation between Doha, Ankara and Tehran[17].
For example, in December 2021, Turkey and Qatar agreed to control and manage Kabul airport after the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan[18]. The two countries also cooperate on Syria (against Al Assad), Palestine (aid and support to Hamas) and Libya (in favour of the Tripoli government)[19]. Turkey and Qatar are also known for their support of the Muslim Brotherhood, including during the Arab Spring (2010-2011)[20].
In the case of Iran-Qatar relations, there is the same continuity in bilateral relations as in the case of Turkey after the 2017-2021 embargo. One of the reasons is the shared possession of the world's largest gas field (North Dome/South Pars), which is essential for Doha[21]. Moreover, given that Qatar hosts the American base of Al Udeid and fears a possible attack on its territory, the country seeks to keep a maximum of diplomacy with Tehran[22]. Moreover, Doha had supported the Vienna agreements (JCPOA) in 2015[23] and works on de-escalation between Washington and Tehran as a mediator[24].
Recently, on 20-21 February 2022, Iranian President Raisi arrived in Doha for a state visit[25]. On his first visit to the Gulf, he signed 14 documents on agreements with Qatari officials, in the presence of the Emir[26]. Finally, he attended the 6th Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) summit, which was held this year in the Qatari capital[27]. In addition to energy, the Iran-Qatar agreements are primarily focused on trade and the economy, as well as culture, education and infrastructure[28].
The current stakes of the Iran-Turkey-Qatar alliance are multiple, due to the diversity of the external relations of these three regional actors. First, Turkey is in NATO and, like Qatar, has American military bases in Izmir and Incirlik. However, Iran has military links with Russia and China, and supports the Syrian regime of Al Assad[29]. Even in the Ukrainian conflict, Iran and Russia have agreed on the delivery of arms (drones) as well as on gas and oil[30]. For its part, Turkey has delivered Bayraktar drones to Ukraine[31]. As for Qatar, it just "called on all parties to show restraint and resolve the crisis through diplomatic means".[32]. It can nevertheless become an alternative source of gas for Europe to Russian gas[33].
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[1] AydıntaşbaşAsli, BiancoCinzia, "Turkey-UAE Rivalry and the Reshaping of the Middle East", ECFR. URL: https://ecfr.eu/paris/publication/des-ennemis-utiles-la-rivalite-entre-la-turquie-et-les-emirats-arabes-unis-et-la-refonte-du-moyen-orient/, uploaded 12.07.2021; Benli Altunışık, Meliha, 'The end of the Gulf rift may not signal the end of Turkey-Qatar relations', Atlantic Council. URL: https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/turkeysource/the-end-of-the-gulf-rift-may-not-signal-the-end-of-turkey-qatar-relations/, uploaded on 5.04.2021, accessed on 5.08.2022.
[2] AydıntaşbaşAsli, BiancoCinzia, op. cit. (n. 1).
[3] Ragip, SoyluQatar to train air force in Turkey under new deal", Middle East Eye. URL: https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/turkey-qatar-military-training-airforce-agreement, uploaded on 1.07.2021, accessed on 23.02.2022.
[4] Bıtmez, Serdar, Duran, Zeynep Hilal Karyağdı, "Turkey and Qatar sign agreements with defence companies at 'DIMDEX 2022'", Anadolu Agency. URL : https://www.aa.com.tr/fr/turquie/la-turquie-et-le-qatar-signent-des-accords-avec-des-entreprises-de-d%C3%A9fense-au-salon-dimdex-2022/2542050, mis en ligne le 22.03.2022, consulté le 5.08.2022.
[5] Bourdillon, Yves, "La Turquie et le Qatar font commun face aux pays arabes", Les Echos. URL: https://www.lesechos.fr/monde/afrique-moyen-orient/la-turquie-et-le-qatar-font-front-commun-face-aux-pays-arabes-1150641, uploaded on 25.11.2019; 'Lira crisis: Qatar promises to provide Turkey with foreign currency', Le Point. URL: https://www.lepoint.fr/economie/crise-de-la-livre-le-qatar-promet-de-fournir-la-turquie-en-devises-20-08-2018-2244592_28.php, uploaded on 20.08.2018, accessed on 5.08.2022.
[6] Tokyay, Menekse, "Qatar to Turkey's rescue despite public outcry", Arab News.
URL : https://www.arabnews.fr/node/35896/%C3%A9conomie, mis en ligne le 28.11.2020, consulté le 5.08.2022.
[7] Ibid.
[8] Ibid.
[9] FarooqUmar, "Turkish firms eye boon in deepening bilateral ties with Qatar", Al Jazeera.
URL: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/12/10/hlturkish-firms-eye-boon-in-deepening-bilateral-ties-with-qatar, uploaded on 10.12.2021 ; IbrahimMenatalla, "Exclusive: Technology investments between Qatar-Türkiye to grow, says President of Türkiye's Investment Office", Doha News. URL: https://dohanews.co/exclusive-technology-investments-between-qatar-turkiye-to-grow-says-president-of-turkiyes-investment-office/, uploaded on 5.04.2022consulted on 5.08.2022.
[10] "Turkey, Qatar boost strategic partnership ties - officials", Middle East Monitor. URL: https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220516-turkey-qatar-boost-strategic-partnership-ties-officials/, uploaded on 16.05.2022; ""Turkey, Qatar move toward strategic partnership"", Daily Sabah.
URL: https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/diplomacy/turkey-qatar-move-toward-strategic-partnership, uploaded on 15.05.2022, accessed on 5.08.2022.
[11] Bourdillon, Yves, op. cit.. (n. 5).
[12] "Gulf crisis: President Erdogan does not let go of his strategic Qatari ally", France 24. URL: https://www.france24.com/fr/20170625-crise-golfe-qatar-turquie-recep-tayyip-erdogan-alliance-strategique-base-militaire, uploaded on 25.06.2017, accessed on 5.08.2022.
[13] Clarke, Hilary, 'Iran sends planes stuffed with food to Qatar', CNN. URL: https://edition.cnn.com/2017/06/11/middleeast/iran-qatar-planes-food/index.html, uploaded on 11.06.2017; 'Iran sends planes of food to Qatar amid concerns of shortages', Reuters. URL: https://www.reuters.com/article/gulf-qatar-iran-idUSL8N1J806M, uploaded on 11.06.2017, accessed on 5.08.2022.
[14] "Gulf Crisis: President Erdogan..." [op. cit. (n. 12)].
[15] Bourdillon, Yves, op. cit.. (n. 5) ; JafariSaeid, "Saudi-led Qatar blockade brings Iran, Turkey together", Al Monitor. URL: https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2017/06/saudi-qatar-blockade-iran-turkey-convergence-crisis.html, uploaded on 26.06.2017; MinouiDelphine, "The Turkey-Iran-Qatar alliance strengthens against Arabia", Le Figaro. URL: https://www.lefigaro.fr/international/2018/12/05/01003-20181205ARTFIG00256-l-alliance-turquie-iran-qatar-se-renforce-face-a-l-arabie.php, uploaded on 5.12.2018, accessed on 23.02.2022.
[16] "Iran, Turkey, Qatar Sign Deal to Ease Doha Blockade", Financial Tribune. URL: https://financialtribune.com/articles/domestic-economy/76877/iran-turkey-qatar-sign-deal-to-ease-doha-blockade, uploaded on 27.11.2017; "Turkey, Iran, Qatar sign transportation deal", Anadolu Agency Energy. URL: https://www.aa.com.tr/en/energy/energy-diplomacy/turkey-iran-qatar-sign-transportation-deal/14707, online 27.11.2017, accessed 5.08.2022.
[17] "Qatar says it will not alter relations with Iran or Turkey after Gulf breakthrough, Middle East Eye. URL: https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/qatar-will-not-alter-relations-iran-turkey-despite-gulf-breakthrough, uploaded on 7.01.2021; "Turkey, Iran jockey to reap dividends of Qatari 'victory'", The Arab Weekly. URL: https://thearabweekly.com/turkey-iran-jockey-reap-dividends-qatari-victory, uploaded on 7.01.2021; "Turkey and Qatar sign cooperation agreements", Al Monitor. URL: https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2021/12/turkey-and-qatar-sign-cooperation-agreements, uploaded on 7.12.2021, accessed on 5.08.2022.
[18] Tokyay, Menekse, "Qatar, Turkey discuss plans to connect Afghanistan, Taliban to outside world", Arab News. URL: https://www.arabnews.com/node/1982516/middle-east, online 07.12.2021; "Turkey, Qatar work to get Kabul airport operational: Taliban", Daily Sabah. URL: https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/diplomacy/turkey-qatar-work-to-get-kabul-airport-operational-taliban, uploaded on 6.09.2021, accessed on 5.08.2022.
[19] ClémentJustine, "Turkey-Qatar relations: foundations, realities and ambitions (1/3)
, The Keys to the Middle East. URL: https://www.lesclesdumoyenorient.com/Les-relations-entre-la-Turquie-et-le-Qatar-fondements-realites-et-ambitions-1-3.html, uploaded on 24.03.2022; Nur Cakmak, Busra, "Turkish leader: Turkey and Qatar stand together in all trials", Anadolu Agency. URL : https://www.aa.com.tr/fr/politique/responsable-turc-la-turquie-et-le-qatar-sont-solidaires-dans-toutes-les-%C3%A9preuves/2588952, mis en ligne le 16.05.2022 (trad. française) ; QarjouliAsmahan, "Qatar, Turkey to build village for 5,000 displaced Syrians in Aleppo", Doha News. URL: https://dohanews.co/qatar-turkey-to-build-village-for-5000-displaced-syrians-in-aleppo/, uploaded on 28.07.2022; 'What does the Turkey-Qatar military deal mean for Arab conflicts? Al Arabiya News. URL: https://english.alarabiya.net/perspective/analysis/2015/06/25/What-does-Turkey-Qatar-military-deal-mean-for-Arab-conflicts-, uploaded on 25.06.2015, accessed on 5.08.2022.
[20] ClémentJustine, "The relationship between... (1/3) [op. cit.. (n. 19)] & (1/3) ". URL: https://www.lesclesdumoyenorient.com/Les-relations-entre-la-Turquie-et-le-Qatar-fondements-realites-et-ambitions-3-3.html, uploaded on 24.03.2022, accessed on 5.08.2022.
[21] Cafiero, Giorgio, Sudetic, Brett, "Iranian-Qatari Relations After Al-Ula", Carnegie. URL: https://carnegieendowment.org/sada/83771, uploaded on 1.02.2021, accessed on 5.08.2022.
[22] Ibid.
[23] "Qatar welcomes Iran nuclear deal, Kuwait News Agency. URL: https://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2451551&language=en#, uploaded on 15.07.2015, accessed on 5.08.2022.
[24] KilaniHazar, "Amir to visit Iran and Europe in attempt to save nuclear deal", Doha News. URL: https://dohanews.co/amir-to-visit-iran-and-europe-in-attempt-to-save-nuclear-deal/, uploaded on 8.05.2022 ; MotamediMaziar, "Qatari foreign minister in Tehran to help nuclear deal efforts", Al Jazeera. URL: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/7/6/qatari-foreign-minister-in-tehran-to-help-nuclear-deal-efforts, uploaded on 6.07.2022; "Qatar, US discuss efforts to revive Iran nuclear deal", Middle East Monitor. URL: https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220704-qatar-us-discuss-efforts-to-revive-iran-nuclear-deal/, uploaded on 4.07.2022, accessed on 5.08.2022.
[25] "Iranian President arrives in Doha on state visit, The Peninsula. URL: https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/21/02/2022/iranian-president-arrives-in-doha-on-state-visit, uploaded on 21.02.2022, accessed on 5.08.2022.
[26] Motamedi, Maziar, "Iran, Qatar sign major agreements on Raisi's Doha trip", Al Jazeera. URL: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/2/23/irans-president-raisi-says-14-agreements-signed-in-qatar, uploaded on 23.02.2022, accessed on 5.08.2022.
[27] "6th GECF Summit concludes with Doha Declaration (22 February 2022 Doha, Qatar)
GECF. URL: https://www.gecf.org/events/6th-gecf-summit-concludes-with-doha-declaration; Motamedi, Maziar, 'Iran, Qatar sign major agreements on Raisi's Doha trip', Al Jazeera. URL: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/2/21/irans-president-raisi-in-qatar-for-talks-with-emir-gecf-summit?fbclid=IwAR1jJQDxcezv6OiCMKxjEieQG2wqwWKNGLGdTerZtlnK6v-TqTjOGfZbggI, uploaded on 23.02.2022 accessed on 23.02.2022.
[28] Jacobs, Anna L., "Qatar and Iran Expand Ties Amid Broader Gulf De-escalation", The Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington. URL: https://agsiw.org/qatar-and-iran-expand-ties-amid-broader-gulf-de-escalation/, uploaded on 11.03.2022 ; EmployeeFatemeh, "Iranian business centre launches in Qatar amid fresh focus on energy cooperation", Doha News. URL: https://dohanews.co/iranian-business-centre-launches-in-qatar-amid-fresh-focus-on-energy-cooperation/, uploaded on 7.06.2022; EmployeeFatemeh, "Iran-Qatar Joint Economic Commission to strengthen ties in various fields", Doha News. URL: https://dohanews.co/iran-qatar-joint-economic-commission-to-strengthen-ties-in-various-fields/, uploaded on 5.06.2022; Zafar Mehdi, Syed, 'Qatar, Iran take big step forward toward expansion of ties', Anadolu Agency. URL: https://www.aa.com.tr/en/economy/qatar-iran-take-big-step-forward-toward-expansion-of-ties/2586340, uploaded on 12.05.2022, accessed on 5.08.2022.
[29] MartínLucas, "Iran's Role in the Middle East (II)", Atalayar. URL : https://atalayar.com/fr/content/le-r%C3%B4le-de%E2%80%99iran-au-moyen-orient-ii, mis en ligne le 8.05.2020, consulté le 5.08.2022.
[30] "War in Ukraine: Iran wants to be Russia's new ally", France Info. URL: https://www.francetvinfo.fr/replay-radio/un-monde-d-avance/guerre-en-ukraine-l-iran-se-veut-le-nouvel-allie-de-la-russie_5240785.html, uploaded on 25.07.2022; Wilquin, Maud, 'War in Ukraine: Russia and Iran to strengthen cooperation on gas and oil', RTBF. URL: https://www.rtbf.be/article/guerre-en-ukraine-la-russie-et-l-iran-vont-renforcer-leur-cooperation-sur-le-gaz-et-le-petrole-11034390, uploaded on 19.07.2022, accessed on 5.08.2022.
[31] Bouvier, Emile, "Les drones turcs en Ukraine, un succès aux forts enjeux diplomatiques", The Keys to the Middle East. URL: https://www.lesclesdumoyenorient.com/Les-drones-turcs-en-Ukraine-un-succes-aux-forts-enjeux-diplomatiques.html, uploaded on 16.06.2022, accessed on 5.08.2022.
[32] "War in Ukraine: Riyadh, Dubai and Doha in the crossfire RFI. URL : https://www.rfi.fr/fr/europe/20220225-guerre-en-ukraine-riyad-duba%C3%AF-et-doha-entre-deux-feux, mis en ligne le 25.02.2022, consulté le 5.08.2022.
[33] Barría, Cecilia, 'Qatar: the small country that will become even richer thanks to the war in Ukraine', BBC.
URL: https://www.bbc.com/afrique/monde-61394853, uploaded on 11.05.2022, accessed on 5.08.2022.
