DOHA: The Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, on an official visit to Turkey, said in Ankara yesterday that relations between both countries were strategic and historic and had become stronger in recent years.
The Emir and Turkish President Recep Tayyib Erdogan signed an agreement to set up a Supreme Strategic Committee to bolster cooperation in key fields.
The panel will enhance cooperation in politics, economy, commerce, investment, education, culture, science, technology, energy, agriculture and communications.
The Emir and President Erdogan also witnessed the signing of a defence cooperation agreement.
The Emir highlighted economic and investment relations and the importance of continuing Turkish investments in Qatar, especially since Turkish companies are international ones. “They are welcome in Qatar,” he said.
On the agreement, the Emir said the committee will help enhance relations on all fronts.
The Emir said his talks with President Erdogan dealt with issues related to ties, noting that both countries’ views were identical and close on foreign issues, particularly those related to the region and its current developments.
The Emir said talks touched on the Palestinian issue and the importance of restoring the rights of the Palestinian people.
He described the issue as the last colonial one and said it was unacceptable for the world not to support the Palestinian people.
On Syria, the Emir said there had been warnings against the practices of the Syrian regime and that they might lead to negative consequences in future, besides the killing of children and women, and dangerous groups might emerge and become out of control. “Turkey and Qatar and all countries that have been active in assisting the Syrian people must continue to support the troubled Syrians.”
The Emir said he would support a political solution if it was in line with the demands of the Syrian people “but, unfortunately, there is no solution at the moment.”
Speaking on Iraq, the Emir warned against the danger of some groups there, which resulted from past practices of government officials, and hoped that a national reconciliation would overcome the country’s problems.
The Emir said talks also touched on the situation in Yemen, which he described as very serious for the region and the world. the peninsula
The Emir hoped that there would be a solution and all the factions in Yemen would be committed to the results of national dialogue and implement them.
President Erdogan welcomed the Emir and his delegation, saying the meeting reviewed relations.
Both sides also discussed agreements that were signed to reach mutual achievements, stressing that the deals would open the way for strengthening ties. He said Turkey took steps on international issues and Qatar had always backed them as both countries shared joint objectives and identical visions.
He expressed pleasure and gratitude for Qatari businessmen’s interest in investment in Turkey, which, he said, also applies to Turkish businessmen investing in Qatar, reports QNA.
The Peninsula
DOHA: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkish investment in Qatar stood at about $15bn, which showed the interest of the Qatari government in Turkish investment. He said at a joint press conference with the Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Ankara that the volume of trade between both countries was about $600m, which he desired to raise to $1bn, according to the website of Turkish news agency Anadolu.
the peninsula
