Establishing a visa-free regime with the Arab countries and the expansion of economic partnership is not an indication of Turkey’s efforts to create an alliance with Middle Eastern neighbors, as opposed to the EU, says Halil Karaveli, Senior Researcher, Institute for the Study of Caucasus and Central Asia, based in Stockholm.

Karaveli said that European countries are the main importers of the Turkish market. Although in recent years establishment of regional alliances became popular, he does not think that Turkey will take such a step in the relations with the Arab countries, said the analyst of Turkish descent Karaveli, in an interview with Swedish Trend.

At the same time, according to analyst, Turkey should act carefully in establishing relations with Iran and involvement in the Iranian nuclear program, as this can cause resentment in Sunni Arab countries like Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

Iran-Turkey closeness will make it difficult to establish close relations with the Sunni Arab world. Therefore, Turkey is trying to keep a balance with all partners in the region at this stage believes the expert.

Karaveli thinks that relations between Turkey and Israel are too damaged to be restored in the near future. Particularly the Turkish-Israeli relations will not be improved with the current Turkish government.

During an official visit to Qatar, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, responding to questions from reporters, has not confirmed the Ankara’s intentions to turn the Middle East in alliance similar to the European.

Relations between Turkey and Arab countries have improved rapidly over the past two years. This led to the cancellation of the visa regime and the establishment of the intergovernmental commission between Turkey and Arab countries to promote economic and political cooperation.

According to Karaveli present priority for Turkey to develop cooperation with countries in the Middle East is to expand economic contacts, which is unlikely to give impetus to fundamental political changes in the region. This, in his opinion is not in the interests of Turkish diplomacy.