The 5th session of the Qatar-Turkey Supreme Strategic Committee took place in Doha yesterday.
It was presided over by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan, with the participation of the ministers responsible for facets of co-operation included in the agreement that established the Supreme Strategic Committee and signed on December 19 of 2014.
The fifth session was held in a friendly environment that reflected the distinguished partnership and commitment of both sides to the continuation of long-term strategic co-operation in all fields. The committee reviewed the results of the previous session that took place in Istanbul on November 26 of 2018. The two sides expressed their satisfaction with the continuing progress in bilateral ties as the 46th anniversary of establishing diplomatic ties approaches.
The committee welcomed the results of the ministerial preparatory meeting that took place in Doha on November 3 of 2019 and was presided over by the two countries’ ministers of foreign affairs who are in charge of co-operating and preparing the committee’s meetings.
The committee also welcomed the outcomes of the ranking officials’ meeting that took place in October 24 of 2019.
The 5th session saw the signing of the following agreements and memorandums of understanding with the goal of building on the progress achieved so far through the committee’s mechanisms:
1. Amending currency-swap agreement signed between Qatar Central Bank and the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey.
2. An agreement between the government of Qatar and the government of Turkey on co-operation in the manufacturing and the technology fields.
3. A Memorandum of Understanding between Qatar Financial Centre and the financial office of the presidency in Turkey.
4. A memorandum of understanding between Qatar Investment Promotion Agency and the investment office at the presidency of Turkey.
5. A Memorandum of Understanding in the field of urban planning between the governments of Qatar and Turkey.
6. A declaration of intent between Qatar General Organisation for Standards and Metrology (QS) and the Turkish Standards Institution (TSE).
7. A Memorandum of Understanding in the field of standards between the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) and the Turkish Standards Institution (TSE).
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. They also stressed their commitment to ratifying a trade and economic partnership agreement that was signed in the previous session.
The committee also welcomed the Qatari companies’ increasing interest in investing in Turkey, and reviewed the commitment made by Qatar to invest $15bn in Turkey, which was announced by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani during the visit to Turkey in August of 2018. The two sides pledged to continue their co-ordination in the financial field.
The committee also expressed its satisfaction with enhancing co-operation 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 the importance of the role played by trade chambers in enhancing investment opportunities, and welcomed the organisation of the Qatari-Turkish Business Forum that was held in Ankara on October 31 of 2019 with the participation of HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani and Turkish Vice-President Fuat Oktay.
The two sides welcomed the hosting of the 7th session of the joint Qatari-Turkish Committee for economic, trade, and technical co-operation, which will take place during the first half of 2020. 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 co-operation 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 co-operation 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 to increase bilateral co-operation in that field.
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 co-operation 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 co-operation in defence industries over the long-term.
The two leaders praised the joint security committee that held its meeting in Ankara on January 30 of 2019. The two sides pointed to the letter of intent for organising major events between Qatar and Turkey, which was signed on October 31 of 2019.
The committee also discussed the importance of enhancing co-operation in the field of food security.
The two sides also called for enhancing their ties by establishing a twinning agreement between their respective cities.
They also expressed their satisfaction with the strength of ties in the legal and judicial fields.
The committee also highlighted the strong ties in the field of culture, youth, sports, education, archival, and libraries, with both sides expressing their willingness to carry out joint projects in those fields.
The two sides held in-depth talks on international issues, stressing the importance of co-ordinating their positions and further strengthening the partnership in light of continued regional developments.
The two sides reaffirmed their common commitment to maintaining and promoting peace, security and stability in the Middle East and neighbouring regions, as well as finding peaceful resolution to disputes, without resorting to the threat of force or sanctions.
The committee stressed the importance of the unity of the Gulf Co-operation Council, especially in light of the challenges surrounding the region, and 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, while clarifying that constructive dialogue is the only way to end the current 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 stressed the need for a political settlement on the Cyprus issue through constructive dialogue based on existing facts and equality between the two peoples on the island.
Both sides expressed concern over the recent developments in the State of 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 strongly condemned Israel’s continued use of excessive and disproportionate force against Palestinian civilians, its successive attempts to undermine the legal status of Jerusalem, its continued expansion of illegal settlements in Palestine, as well as the destruction and seizure of Palestinian property by the Israeli authorities.
The two sides reaffirmed their mutual interest and solidarity in the fight against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and reaffirmed their determination to co-operate 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. With their support to this end to the formation of the Constitutional Committee.
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 neighbouring countries. In this regard, the Turkish side expressed its gratitude to Qatar for its support to Operation “Peace Spring”.
Both sides expressed their appreciation for their co-operation 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 as a basis for a lasting political settlement in accordance with relevant Security Council resolutions, including resolution 2216 (2015), the GCC Initiative and its implementation mechanism, and the outcome of the Comprehensive National Dialogue Conference.
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 also stressed the absence of a 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 co-operation projects to this end.
The two sides affirmed their support for peace, stability and development in Somalia and Sudan, welcoming the progress made by Somalia in many areas, and agreed to further develop their co-operation with Somalia, calling on the international community to continue its support for Somalia and commending the efforts made by the transitional Government of the Sudan to overcome the economic difficulties. They expressed their willingness to co-operate with Sudan for sustainable economic development and called for the lifting of sanctions on Sudan.
The two sides reaffirmed their determination to strengthen their co-operation and solidarity in international and regional organisations, including the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation.
The Turkish side congratulated Qatar on its successful hosting of the 16th Ministerial Meeting of Asia Co-operation Dialogue (ACD) and the positive results of the meeting.
The Qatari side expressed its readiness to co-operate with Turkey during its current chairmanship of the Asia Co-operation Dialogue, and to work jointly during Qatar’s hosting of the third summit of the Asia Co-operation 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 peoples.
President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his deep appreciation to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to him and his delegation during their stay in Qatar.
President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan being received by HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs Dr Khalid bin Mohamed al-Attiyah.