In confirmation of the distinguished relations between the State of Qatar and the Republic of Turkey and the keenness of their leaders to develop these relations in all fields, H.H. the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani is meeting Thursday evening with H.E. President of Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Doha within the framework of continuing coordination between the two brotherly countries, promotion of strategic relations, and means of supporting and developing them.

The importance of the visit of H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the State of Qatar, which is his first outside his country following the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that swept the world, in light of the successive regional and international developments.

The two leaders, H.H. the Amir and H.E. the Turkish President, are keen on maintaining coordination between them in the framework of strengthening bilateral relations and discussing regional and international issues, whether through direct meetings or phone calls, the last of which was at the end of June, when HH the Amir received a phone call from the Turkish President, during which they discussed the strategic relations between the two brotherly countries and ways to support and develop them, in addition to discussing several regional and international issues of common concern.

The last visit of H.E. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Doha was in November 2019, where he and H.H. the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani presided the fifth session of the Qatar-Turkey Supreme Strategic Committee, during which agreements and memoranda of understanding were signed, to build on the progress achieved through the mechanisms of the Supreme Strategic Committee, including:

1. Amendments to the agreement related to the arrangements for the currency-swap agreement (Qatari riyal and Turkish lira) between Qatar Central Bank and the Central Bank of Turkey.

2. An agreement on industrial and technological cooperation between the governments of the State of Qatar and the Republic of Turkey.

3. Memorandum of Understanding between the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) and Turkey's Presidential Finance Office.

4. Memorandum of Understanding between the Qatar Investment Promotion Agency and Turkey's Presidential Investment Office.

5. Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in the field of civil planning between the governments of the State of Qatar and the Republic of Turkey.

6. A joint declaration of intent regarding the establishment of a laboratory to facilitate trade and enhance consumer protection between the Qatar General Organization for Standards and Metrology (QS) in the State of Qatar and the Turkish Standards Institution (TSE) in the Republic of Turkey.

7. Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in the field of standards between the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) in the State of Qatar and the Turkish Standards Institute (TSE) the Republic of Turkey.

The two sides also confirmed their continued intention to expand and strengthen the legal framework for their bilateral relations.

The establishment of the committee dates back to December 2014, when H.H. the Amir and H.E. the Turkish President signed the agreement of its establishment, according to which a large number of ministries participated, in addition to several governmental and private institutions from both sides in preparing for bilateral cooperation agreements.

The first session of the committee, which was hosted by Doha in December 2015, set the bilateral relations between the two countries on an institutional path that guarantees to fortify the previous achievements and broadens their horizons to exceed the distinction on the political level to achieve similar distinction in other fields, especially economic, commercial, investment, cultural and security.

The relations between Doha and Ankara are witnessing development and diversification at all levels, and the meeting of HH the Amir with HE the Turkish President, this evening, is the culmination of those distinguished relations that provide a model for regional relations.

The Turkish-Qatari relations are an integrated model for cooperation and coordination between partners and brothers in various political, economic, cultural, and military fields. The relations witnessed rapid growth since the unjust blockade was imposed on Qatar by the four countries, namely Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Egypt. This was represented in increasing the volume of trade exchange between the two countries, which promises a prosperous future for these relations and the continued development and growth of them in the interest of the two countries and the two brotherly peoples.

In many occasions, the two countries have demonstrated that the friendship that unites them is a true and solid friendship, and this was demonstrated by their standing next to each other on difficult days, especially during Turkey's efforts to end the unjust blockade imposed on Qatar, as well as Doha's strong and supportive stance for Ankara during 2016's summer failed coup attempt. Also, Doha stood firmly with Ankara in the Turkish lira crisis in 2019, where H.H. the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani visited Turkey at that time and directed to provide a package of economic projects, investments, and deposits in the amount of approximately QR 55 billion (USD 15 billion) from the State of Qatar to support the Turkish economy.

The Qatari-Turkish relations are old, historical, based on brotherhood, understanding, and mutual respect, as well as a great legacy of history and the shared civilization of the two brotherly peoples. The Embassy of the State of Qatar in Ankara inaugurated in February 2018 the issuance of the "Qatari-Turkish joint postal stamp" on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the launch of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1973.

H.E. Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Republic of Turkey Salem bin Mubarak Al Shafi, made it clear in a recent statement that the bilateral relations between the State of Qatar and the Republic of Turkey were always good, and witnessed many stations that paved their way to this distinguished level. He pointed out that the most prominent of these stations began in 2014 when the Turkey-Qatar Supreme Strategic Committee was established at the level of leaders, passing through the 2016 failed coup attempt in Turkey and the State of Qatar's standing alongside legitimacy and support to Turkey, and the unjust blockade on Qatar in 2017.

He considered that the Turkish position on June 5, 2017, was a result of the foregoing. Turkey distanced itself from malicious blocs based on its principles and stood by the right and the oppressed, which is considered a brave choice that is in line with its positions and policies. Also, HE the Ambassador expressed Qatar's appreciation for this stance.

H.E. Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Republic of Turkey Salem bin Mubarak Al Shafi pointed out that the crises witnessed by the two countries and their standing alongside each other led to strengthened relations, which has reflected in the peoples of the two countries and the level of rapprochement between the leaders and the people.

He noted that Turkey remained unchanged in its position standing with Qatar against the unjust blockade, despite the great pressure it was subjected to do so.

His Excellency said that Qatar didn't hesitate to support Turkey during all the crises it went through, whether during the failed coup attempt or through economic support during the Turkish lira crisis in 2018 or by raising the ceiling of the currency swap agreement recently.

H.E. the Ambassador considered that combined factors, in addition to the great harmony in politics, have led to the bilateral relations reaching an advanced stage of distinction and brilliance. He added that they are working to further advance these relations and there is close coordination between the two sides in various files, levels, and international platforms. There are also many interests and mutual investments between the two parties, and Turkey is one of the first and preferred tourist destinations for Qatari citizens, he added.

Regarding regional issues, close political coordination between Qatar and Turkey remains continuous and uninterrupted. In the Supreme Committee's last meeting, its joint statement touched on many regional issues and stressed the importance of unity of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), especially in light of the challenges surrounding the region. The statement stressed the need to adhere to the principles of mutual respect, full sovereignty of states, non-interference in their internal affairs, and good neighborliness while clarifying that constructive dialogue is the only way to end the current Gulf crisis.

The two sides confirmed their commitment to maintaining maritime safety in the Gulf region, stressing the importance of avoiding any discourse or action that would increase tensions in the region and urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint and refrain from escalation.

They also stressed the need to reach a political settlement on the Cyprus issue through constructive dialogue based on existing realities and equality between the two peoples on the island.

The two sides expressed grave concern over the recent developments in the State of Palestine, which undermined the possibility of a two-state solution. They reaffirmed their commitment to the just Palestinian cause and their strong support for the establishment of an independent, sovereign, and connected-territorial State of Palestine within the 1967 borders with Jerusalem as its capital. They strongly condemned Israel's continued use of excessive force against Palestinian civilians, its successive attempts to undermine the legal status of Jerusalem, and its continued expansion of illegal settlements, as well as the destruction and seizure of Palestinian property by the Israeli authorities.

They affirmed their mutual interest and full solidarity in combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and reaffirmed their determination to cooperate to counter the threat posed by terrorist organizations.

The parties confirmed their continued commitment to supporting the political process to end the Syrian crisis in a manner that guarantees Syria's sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity. They expressed their desire to see a stable, peaceful, prosperous, and democratic future for Syria in line with the legitimate aspirations of its people.

They also stressed the importance of preserving the unity and territorial integrity of Iraq to achieve regional stability. They stressed the importance of the unity of Yemen, its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the need to end the war in Yemen through achieving national reconciliation and constructive dialogue as a basis for a lasting political settlement in accordance with the relevant Security Council resolutions.

The two sides also affirmed the absence of a military solution to the ongoing conflict in Libya and confirmed their commitment to the political process owned and led by the Libyans and sponsored by the United Nations to find a lasting solution.

HH the Amir and HE the Turkish President review strategic relations between the two countries#MOFAQatar pic.twitter.com/oSAZsVp1Em

— MOFA - Qatar (@MofaQatar_EN) July 2, 2020

Source: Qatar News Agency

Follow us on our social media channels: @ILQlive @ILQlive @ILoveQtr ILoveQatar

Darlene

Start a discussion