HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan shake hands after signing an agreement on setting up a Supreme Strategic Committee at the presidential palace in Ankara yesterday.
QNA
Ankara
HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday signed an agreement on setting up a Supreme Strategic Committee between the two countries.
According to the agreement, which they signed at the presidential palace in Ankara, the committee will be in charge of co-operation in the fields of politics, economy, commerce, investment, education, culture, science, technology, energy, agriculture and communications.
The two leaders also witnessed the signing of a co-operation agreement in defence affairs between the two countries.
Addressing a joint press conference, the Emir thanked the Turkish president for the hospitality, stressing that Qatari-Turkish ties are strategic, deep and historic and that they saw great progress in recent years.
The Emir also highlighted the strong economic and investment relations between the two countries and the importance of continuing Turkish investments in Qatar.
Referring to the agreement on the Strategic Committee, the Emir said it would facilitate in boosting bilateral relations in all fronts.
He said their talks focused on several issues related to ties between the two countries, noting that their points of view were identical on foreign issues, particularly those related to the region.
The Emir said on the Palestinian issue they reiterated the importance of restoring the rights of the Palestinian people, adding it’s unacceptable for the world not to support the Palestinian people.
As for Syria, the Emir said there have been warnings against the practices of the Syrian regime and that they might lead to negative consequences in the future.
The Emir said Turkey, Qatar and all other countries that have been active in assisting the Syrian people must continue to support the troubled Syrians.
The Emir added that he would support a political solution if it goes 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 were the result of past practices of government officials, and hoped that a national reconciliation will overcome the country’s problems.
The Emir noted that talks also touched on the situation in Yemen, which he described as very serious for the region and the whole world, and hoped there would be a solution and that all the factions would be committed to the national dialogue.
The Turkish president said he and the Emir reviewed bilateral relations. The two sides also discussed the agreements they signed which would further boost bilateral ties.
On foreign policy, the president said Turkey took steps towards international issues and Qatar has always backed them as the two countries share joint objectives and identical visions.
He also expressed his pleasure and gratitude at Qatari businessmen’s interest in investment in Turkey, which, he said, also applies to Turkish businessmen investing in Qatar.
Members of the official delegation accompanying the Emir attended the signing ceremony.
The talks were attended by members of the official delegation accompanying the Emir.
From the Turkish side, they were attended by a number of ministers.
The Emir was earlier accorded an official reception.
Later the Emir attended a luncheon banquet hosted by Erdogan.
Bashir gets Emir’s message
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir yesterday received a written message from HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani dealing with relations between the two countries and means of enhancing them. Qatar’s Ambassador to Sudan Rashid bin Abdulrahman al-Nuaimi handed the message to the Sudanese president.
