The Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani has expressed his delight over the meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, stressing that the Qatari-Turkish partnership is progressing successfully.
In a tweet, the Amir said, “The Qatari-Turkish partnership is moving towards its objectives successfully… I was delighted to meet my brother President Erdogan in Doha, where we discussed vital bilateral and regional and global issues. We agreed to use the potential in this partnership for optimally serving the interests of the people of the two countries and the people of the whole region.”
The Amir and the Turkish president chaired the 5th session of the Qatar-Turkey Supreme Strategic Committee at the Amiri Diwan on Monday.
The meeting dealt with the strong strategic ties in all fields, particularly political, trade partnerships, economy and investment. It also touched upon energy affairs, manufacturing, industry, education, media, healthcare, tourism, and projects related to the hosting of 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The 5th session saw the signing of a slew of agreements and memoranda of understanding. The agreements are:
● Amending currency-swap agreement signed between Qatar Central Bank and the Central Bank of Turkey.
● An agreement between the government of Qatar and the government of Turkey on cooperation in the manufacturing and the technology fields.
● A Memorandum of Understanding between Qatar Financial Center and the financial office of the presidency in Turkey.
● An MoU between Qatar Investment Promotion Agency and the investment office at the presidency of Turkey.
● An MoU in the field of urban planning between the governments of Qatar and Turkey.
● A declaration of intent between Qatar General Organization for Standards and Metrology (QS) and the Turkish Standards Institution (TSE).
● A Memorandum of Understanding in the field of standards between the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) and the Turkish Standards Institution (TSE).
The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining and promoting peace, security and stability in the Middle East and neighbouring regions.
The committee also stressed the importance of the unity of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), especially in light of the challenges surrounding the region. It stressed the need to adhere to the principles of mutual respect and full sovereignty of states and non-interference in their internal affairs and good-neighbourliness. It said constructive dialogue is the only way to end the Gulf crisis.
The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining maritime safety in the Gulf region. They stressed the importance of avoiding any rhetoric or action that would increase tensions in the region and urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint and refrain from escalation.
The two sides also stressed on their commitment to enhancing the legal framework of their bilateral ties. They also expressed their satisfaction with the increase in bilateral trade volume in a way that reflects the strength of political ties.
The committee welcomed the Qatari companies’ increasing interest in investing in Turkey, and reviewed the commitment made by Qatar to invest $15 billion in Turkey, which was announced by the Amir during the visit to Turkey in August of 2018. The two sides pledged to continue their coordination in the financial field.
The committee also expressed its satisfaction with enhancing cooperation in projects related to hosting the World Cup finals in 2022. The Qatari side welcomed the participation of Turkish companies in infrastructure projects related to the World Cup and to the Qatar National Vision 2030. The two sides agreed to raise the level of their participation in each other’s infrastructure projects.
The committee stressed on the importance of the role played by trade chambers in enhancing investment opportunities. The two sides agreed to encourage the regular participation in trade exhibitions that they both organise, in order to promote bilateral trade.
The committee welcomed cooperation in the tourism field, including health tourism. In that regard, the Qatari side suggested that Turkish delegations pay field visits to health facilities in Qatar to get to know the healthcare sector better and offer suggestions that could benefit both sides in different fields.
The committee expressed its appreciation to the increase in the number of flights between the two countries, and the strong cooperation in the field of civil aviation. In that context, the committee called for holding a bilateral meeting between aviation authorities in either Doha or Ankara.
The two sides also recommended the exchange of expertise, information, and visits in the field of developing land transport systems.
The Qatari side for its part suggested the enhancement of cooperation in the field of standards and metrology.
The private sectors committee called for examining and evaluating investment opportunities in free zones and industrial areas located in the two countries.
The two sides also expressed their willingness to enhance cooperation in defence industries over the long-term.
The committee also discussed the importance of enhancing cooperation in the field of food security. The two sides also called for enhancing their ties by establishing a twinning agreement between their respective cities.
The two sides stressed the need for a political settlement of the Cyprus issue through constructive dialogue based on existing facts.
Both sides expressed concern over the recent developments in Palestine which have 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 State of Palestine within the 1967 borders with Jerusalem as its capital.
Both sides condemned Israel’s continued use of excessive and disproportionate force against Palestinian civilians, its successive attempts to undermine the legal status of Jerusalem.
The two sides reaffirmed their mutual interest and solidarity in the fight against terrorism and reaffirmed their determination to cooperate to counter the threat posed by terrorist organisations, including ISIS, the Kurdish Democratic Union Party, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, the Gulen terrorist organisation and other affiliated organisations.
The two sides affirmed their continued commitment to support the political process to end the Syrian crisis in a way 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.
The two sides stressed that there can be no military solution to the ongoing Syrian crisis, especially since the conflict can only be resolved through a negotiated political process, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2254. They called on the international community to support efforts to stabilise the situation and contribute to a lasting and credible political solution to the crisis.
The two sides rejected all attempts to find new facts based on the grounds of combating terrorism, and expressed their determination to stand against separatist programmes aimed at undermining the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria as well as the national security of neighboring countries. In this regard, the Turkish side expressed its gratitude to the State of Qatar for its support to Operation “Peace Spring”.
Both sides expressed their appreciation for their cooperation in providing support to Syrians under temporary protection in Turkey. The Turkish side welcomed the assistance provided by Qatar through Qatar Charity Foundation and Qatar Red Crescent Society which helped improve the living conditions of Syrians. The Turkish side expressed its appreciation for Qatar’s commitment to continue its contributions in the future.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to support international efforts to facilitate the safe and voluntary return of displaced Syrians to Syria.
The two sides welcomed the contribution of Qatar Fund For Development (QFFD) to the initiative to accelerate the impact of the Sustainable Development Goals, launched by Turkey and UNDP to support innovative solutions to the needs of refugees.
The two sides stressed the importance of preserving Iraq’s unity and territorial integrity in order to achieve regional stability. In the light of the ongoing demonstrations in Iraq, the two sides expressed their concern over the loss of life and the accompanying casualties. They stressed the need to meet the legitimate aspirations of the Iraqi people. They also reaffirmed their readiness to assist reconstruction efforts in Iraq.
The two sides stressed the importance of the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Yemen, and the need to end the war in Yemen through national reconciliation and constructive dialogue.
Both sides expressed their concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Libya, and stressed the importance of ensuring a full and lasting ceasefire to start a comprehensive political process. They called for a non-military solution to the conflict in Libya and reaffirmed their commitments to the Libyan-led and UN-sponsored political process to find a lasting solution.
The two sides reiterated their commitment to contribute to the development of the African continent and promote possible joint cooperation projects to this end.
The two sides affirmed their support for peace, stability and development in Somalia and Sudan.
The two sides reaffirmed their determination to strengthen their cooperation and solidarity in international and regional organisations, including the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
The Turkish side congratulated Qatar on its successful hosting of the 16th Ministerial Meeting of Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) and the positive results of the meeting.
The Qatari side expressed its readiness to cooperate with Turkey during its current chairmanship of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue, and to work jointly during the State of Qatar’s hosting of the third summit of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue to be held in 2020.
The two sides agreed to continue to closely monitor the implementation of the recommendations and decisions of the Supreme Strategic Committee.
The two sides also agreed to hold the sixth session of Qatar-Turkey Supreme Strategic Committee meetings in Turkey in 2020 at a date to be determined through diplomatic channels.
The two sides praised the spirit of sincere brotherhood and the common will witnessed in the deliberations, which reflects the depth and strength of the distinguished relations between the two countries and brotherly people.
The Turkish president expressed his deep appreciation to the Amir for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to him and his delegation during their stay in their second country, Qatar. Amir, Erdogan preside over Qatar-Turkey Supreme Strategic Committee meet
• Two countries reaffirm commitment to maintaining maritime safety in the Gulf
• Committee stresses importance of the unity of GCC
