Qatar and Turkey to hold ‘Year of Culture’

QNA/DohaHE the Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage Dr Hamad bin Abdul Aziz al-Kuwari yesterday met Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism Omer Celik and his delegation. The meeting discussed arrangements taken to hold Qatar Turkey 2015 Year of Culture and the proposed schedule for other events in the two countries. The two sides also discussed ways to strengthen cultural ties between them. After the meeting, HE Dr al-Kuwari described Qatari-Turkish relations as strong, and said they enjoyed the support and political will of HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. “We, as ministers of culture, are working to implement this political will to make the cultural ties keep up with political relations,” he said. The decision to organise the year of culture between Qatar and Turkey was taken late, but both sides have a strong and shared will to ensure its success, the minister said, adding that details of the programme will be announced later. “Today we held a long meeting attended by both parties, and we discussed different aspects of the year of culture,” al-Kuwari said, adding that the Turkish minister proposed his delegation meet with the Qatari side today to study the details and finalise the full-year cultural programmes.Al Kuwari said the programmes and events will not be limited to culture. They will include fine arts, theatre and folklore among others. The Turkish minister conveyed his thanks to al-Kuwari for the hospitality and warm reception, and stressed that his country places Qatar in a special position. “We will work together with HE the Qatari culture minister to enhance the level of co-operation,” he said, adding that the co-operation will surpass the cultural fields to include political and economic relations between the two countries. He also pointed to joint cultural co-operation at the regional and international levels, adding that Turkey will support Qatari activities to introduce Turkish people to different aspects of the Qatari culture.