.In a first since Feb. 2012, Abu Dhabi’s crown prince and de facto ruler of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has paid a visit to Turkey. Meeting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the presidential palace in Ankara on Nov. 24, an official reception that included the rolling out of a unique turquoise carpet and a cavalry procession was held for Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (MbZ). 

The buildup to the visit

The Emirati state visit has received significant attention from observers worldwide given the previous hostility between the two countries, particularly since the 2013 military coup in Egypt, which ousted late president Mohamed Morsi.

Several developments prior to the visit paved the way for it to be held. In January, the Emirati minister of state for foreign affairs at the time, Anwar Gargash, openly expressed Abu Dhabi's desire to normalize relations with Ankara. In April, UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan (AbZ) held a phone call with his Turkish counterpart. And four months later, there was another high-level phone call, this between MbZ and Erdogan...