Turkish vice-president hails strategic ties with Qatar

Turkish Vice-President Cevdet Yilmaz has commended the level of Qatar-Turkiye bilateral relations, praising the Qatari support for the victims of the devastating earthquake in Turkiye in February.
In remarks to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Yilmaz stressed that the partnership between Qatar and Turkiye is seen as one of the most successful partnerships, stressing that it derives its strength and success from the profound respect and solidarity between the peoples of the two countries.
The vice-president expressed his happiness at visiting Qatar and meeting with Qatari officials, pointing to the growing strategic partnership between the two countries at all levels and in all fields, whether it was bilateral relations or regional issues, in addition to the continuous consultations and close co-ordination between them and their unified stances on various issues.
He said that he is personally satisfied to witness the advanced levels that the bilateral relations have reached, extending his thanks to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani for the warm welcome and hospitality.
He said that his visit was in preparation for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit scheduled for next week. He said that his visit was also aimed at meeting Qatari officials and exchanging views regarding bilateral relations and regional developments, as well as discuss the needed steps for common and regional interests.
He expressed his confidence that his visit would be fruitful, saying that there are significant co-operation opportunities in the economic, high-tech, health, and other fields to continue developing co-operation with Qatar, stressing the need to turn the strong political will of the leadership of the two countries into tangible outcomes.
Regarding the compatibility of the political visions between Qatar and Turkiye, he said that the relationship with Qatar derives its strength from the historical bonds and the spirit of solidarity between the two countries. These relations reached the level of strategic partnership thanks to the strong political will of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and the Qatari-Turkish Supreme Strategic Committee is one of the most important mechanisms for developing this partnership.
He added that the volume of bilateral trade continues to develop rapidly as a result of joint efforts, and they are also pleased that the mutual investments of both countries' companies are getting stronger. A good example of that co-operation was the support in the field of security provided by Turkiye during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
He added that Turkiye is proud of the substantial achievement of Qatar in organising the FIFA World Cup. Another example of the solidarity between the two countries was in February when Qatar was among the first countries to provide assistance after the devastating Kahramanmaras earthquake.
In addition, His Highness the Amir directed to send search and rescue teams and medical teams to assist in the rescue operations during that devastating earthquake.
He said that Turkiye received more than 1,000 tonnes of humanitarian assistance through more than 50 flights since the first day of the disaster within the scope of the airbridge that Qatar established with Turkiye. The Qatari-Turkish container homes established in Hatay have become a significant sign of fraternity between the peoples of the two countries.
Regarding the future of the relationships between the two countries, Yilmaz said that there is a common will at the highest levels to develop the strategic partnership and co-operation between the two countries to serve peace, security, and stability at regional and international levels.
Yilmaz described the mutual trust between the two countries as the strongest in the field of investment, noting that economic, financial and trade co-operation will remain one of the main pillars of the two countries' strategic partnership. Food industry also stands out as one of the areas in which there are possibilities for developing both countries' trade, he said, while noting co-operation in the defence industry and high tech fields.
Since the signing of the joint declaration on the establishment of the Supreme Strategic Committee between the two countries on December 19, 2014, 95 agreements and documents covering many areas of cooperation have been signed in 8 meetings held under the co-chairmanship of President Erdogan and His Highness Sheikh Tamim, he said.
He stressed the diversity and deepening of co-operation between Ankara and Doha in all fields, in addition to exchanging views on regional and global issues, noting that these meetings reflect the strategic level reached in bilateral relations and solidarity between the two countries on regional issues, something they are proud of in front of the whole world.
On the level reached in the strategic partnership between Turkiye and Qatar, the vice-president said that they are now in a position to work on decisive steps that will further advance the two countries in every field, and that they fully believe that the relevant meeting will achieve beneficial results for both countries and the region. The agreements have reached a certain level and the implementation phase will come to the fore now, he noted.
He stressed that the partnership between Turkiye and Qatar passed the most difficult challenges in a stronger way. Turning it into a unity of destiny that goes beyond being two countries complementing each other, this partnership has become one of the main pillars of stability, security and co-operation in the region, he said.
In this context, he referred to the possibility of co-operation in many fields such as high tech, defence industry, health and energy on the basis of common interests. In addition to their excellent bilateral co-operation, the two countries are pleased to see their overlapping approaches to regional and global issues and they are maintaining their strong solidarity in facing common challenges, he added.
Turkiye, he said, maintains its position that gives priority to diplomacy and dialogue with all parties, similar to that of Qatar, especially in these days when dialogue and calls for peace are needed more than others, stressing that Ankara attaches importance to consultations and co-operation on issues such as Syria, Palestine, Afghanistan and Islamophobia.
"Dialogue and co-operation between Ankara and Doha on regional issues are of great importance to the stability and security of our entire region," he added.
Regarding the plans of the new Turkish government to advance the Turkish economy in the coming years, the vice-president explained that there are three basic components of the Turkish economic programme: re-imposing budget system, ensuring price stability in monetary policy and controlling inflation, and implementing structural reforms in order to achieve permanent gains for Turkiye. This is within the medium-term plan which will be announced next September, he added.
He stressed Turkiye's desire to revive and develop its relations with all GCC countries in every field and to establish strong relations with the Gulf states, stressing that Ankara attaches importance to the high-level strategic dialogue mechanism between the GCC and Turkiye at the level of foreign ministers.
He stressed his country continued support to the Palestinian cause, to preserve the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque and Jerusalem, and to the Palestinian people on every platform, adding Turkiye attaches great importance to working with the international community, especially the member states of the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation, in order to preserve the perspective of the two-state solution.
On the Syrian issue, the vice-president stressed the importance of continuing to unify efforts to resolve the Syrian crisis, noting Ankara's efforts in combating terrorism, return to the political process and continuous provision of humanitarian aid.
Yilmaz said Turkiye is a candidate country for membership in the European Union and an important partner for the Union. The membership in the European Union is a strategic goal as change and transformation in the region showed the importance of co-operation between Turkiye and the European Union in solving many problems such as economy, energy, security, defence and irregular migration.
He continued by saying that they sincerely believe that the time has come to revive Turkish-European relations in all dimensions. They are crucial to maintain a strong perspective on membership and to conduct fair and results-oriented accession negotiations for all candidate countries, he noted.
He added that during the coming period, the leaders of the European Union and member states must show the necessary political determination and will to advance their relations through the process of partnership and membership, stressing that Turkiye is aware of its responsibility and is ready to take new steps to contribute to this common future.
He said that 2023 marks the centenary of the founding of the Republic of Turkiye, and the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with Qatar. "While marking a milestone in our bilateral relations, we attach importance to strengthening strategic cooperation in all fields."
Yilmaz stressed that Turkiye and Qatar will move forward towards new horizons.