UPDATE - Turkish foreign minister meets top UAE officials

UPDATES HEADLINE, DECK, LEDE; ADDS MORE MEETINGS OF TURKEY'S FOREIGN MINISTER

By Nazli Yuzbasioglu

DUBAI / ABU DHABI (AA) - Turkey’s foreign minister on Wednesday met with top officials of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Mevlut Cavusoglu, who is in the Gulf country for an official visit, was received in Dubai by the Vice President of UAE Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is also the ruler of the Emirate of Dubai.

“Will further develop our economic and commercial relations with UAE,” Cavusoglu wrote on Twitter, sharing photos from their meeting.

Turkey's ambassador to Abu Dhabi Tugay Tuncer and Turkish Consul General to Dubai Mustafa Ilker Kilic were also present at the meeting.

Later, Cavusoglu was received by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan.

Foreign Ministry sources said that the two discussed regional developments during the meeting.

Cavusoglu also held a meeting with his UAE counterpart Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The two foreign ministers signed a memorandum of understanding between the Turkish Foreign Ministry Diplomacy Academy and Anwar Gargash Diplomactic Academy.

Turkey’s top diplomat arrived in the UAE on Monday for an official visit at the invitation of his UAE counterpart.

On Tuesday, Cavusoglu met with Turkish businesspeople in Dubai.

Last month, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that in February he would pay a return visit to the UAE with a large delegation.

Speaking to reporters, he hailed Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Al Nahyan's recent visit to the Turkish capital.