On one hand, Turkey boasts close economic and security ties with Qatar, not only because they are close economic partners, but also they share common views on some regional issues.

Against the backdrop of its increasingly tense relations with the U.S. and Europe, Turkey is relying more on its economic ties with rich Gulf nations, such as Qatar.

Qatar is Turkey's 7th biggest investor with direct investments in Turkey totaling 18 billion U.S. dollars, while the value of the projects undertaken by Turkish companies in Qatar, which will host the 2022 World Cup, has reached about 8.5 billion U.S. dollars.

On another hand, both Turkey and Qatar are eager to become a major player in the region, not to mention their common support to the Muslim Brotherhood, outlawed by Egypt, and the Hamas Movement in Gaza Strip. The Saudi-led bloc has demanded Doha end its support to these extremist groups.

Despite its strong support to Qatar, Erdogan wants to avoid antagonizing the powerful Saudi-led alliance at the same time. Before heading for Kuwait on Sunday, he told reporters that the Gulf crisis benefits no one both in political and economic terms.

Turkish government sources said Erdogan hoped to use this visit to repair Ankara's ties with the Saudi-led Arab countries, which are unhappy about Turkey's support to Doha.

Another factor that could motivate Erdogan to actively get involved in mediating the Gulf crisis is perhaps Turkey's slowly drifting away from the U.S. and Europe in foreign policy, especially after the failed military coup last year.

【国际英语资讯:News Analysis: Erdogans visit fails to break Gulf impasse, but helps protect Turkeys own】相关文章：

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