Dr Mustafa Göksu, Turkish ambassador to Qatar has expressed his pleasure in holding the sixth meeting of the Turkey-Qatar Supreme Strategic Committee under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.
Ambassador Göksu said that the committee will convene with the participation of ministers from both sides including the ministers of foreign affairs.
New agreements to strengthen Turkish-Qatari relationship
Ambassador Göksu stated that a number of new agreements between Qatar and Turkey will be signed, in addition to the already existing 52 agreements. With the new ones, the total number of agreements is expected to exceed 60. The new agreements cover a range of fields such as economy, culture, trade, education, Islamic and family affairs, and water management.
Göksu said the details of the agreements will be released during the committee’s meeting.
Supreme Strategic Committee
Göksu explained that “HE the President of Turkey and His Highness the Amir of Qatar have agreed in December 2014 to establish the Supreme Strategic Committee between the two states. Following the agreement, a large number of ministries in addition to governmental and private institutions have gotten involved in preparations for the first meeting”.
Göksu added that “the first meeting of the Supreme Strategic Committee under the leadership of the heads of states of the two countries was held in Doha, Qatar on 2 December 2015”. He confirms that “the Supreme Committee has placed the bilateral relations between Qatar and Turkey on an institutional path that guarantees the fortification of previous achievements and broadens its horizons surpassing political success and expanding it to other areas such as economy, commerce, investment, culture and security”.
The ambassador confirmed that establishing the committee followed years of consensus and harmony.
“Five meetings have been held since 2015 alternating between the two countries (the first was held in Doha in 2015, the second in Trabzon, Turkey in 2016, the third in Doha in 2017, the fourth in Istanbul in 2018 and the fifth in Doha in 2019)”.
He said during the fifth meeting of the committee, held on 25 November 2019, seven agreements were signed in the fields of economy, urbanisation, trade, finance and investment, industrial and technological co-operation. These agreements will serve to enhance the bilateral ties and enriching the political, economic and scientific relations between Qatar and Turkey.
Göksu stressed that “the regular holding of Supreme Strategic Committee meetings at the highest level annually as a method of consultation in regards to Qatari-Turkish relations is an important indicator of strong bilateral relations. It also reflects the desire of both countries in expanding and diversifying fields of co-operation as strategic allies”.
Growth of economic relations
The Turkish ambassador indicated that the economic co-operation between Turkey and Qatar enjoys a great diversity covering sectors such as energy, manufacturing, technology, banking, tourism, agriculture and real estate.
The trade volume between the two countries recorded a growth of about 6% in 2019, reaching about $1.6bn. He noted that “Qatari companies are among the largest investors in the field of construction in Turkish markets, and in return, Turkish companies obtained contracts worth $1.5bn in 2019 to implement projects in Qatar. In the tourism sector, the number of Qatari visitors to Turkey reached about 30,000 Qataris in 2014, and figures grew to about 110,000 Qatari visitors in 2019, reflecting a growth of about 450%”.
Mutual investment
Göksu stressed that “Turkey is a tempting country for Qatari investors, and is a safe haven for their investments, and the proof is in the numbers, as more than 170 Qatari companies operate in Turkey and the volume of Qatari investment in Turkey has reached to $22bn.
He explains that “Qatari investment did not focus on one sector, but focused on all sectors, whether that be commerce, tourism, agriculture, energy, defence industries, real estate or banking”. In return, Turkish construction companies contribute to infrastructure projects in Qatar, whose value since 2002 amounted to more than $18bn, making Qatar’s share the seventh largest in this sector.
More than 500 Turkish companies operate in Qatar working in vital fields and sectors.
Relationships that have overcome adversities
Göksu stressed that the Qatari-Turkish relations have been tested more than once and went through hardships and has proven its reliability, durability and solidity.
For example when Turkey went through the failed military coup attempt of 2016, Qatar was supportive of the Turkish government from the start and throughout the entirety of the situation.
Additionally, when Qatar was subjected to a blockade in 2017, the Turkish position was sincere towards Qatar and rejecting of this unfair siege.
Therefore, this proves that Qatari-Turkish partnership is a reliable, sincere and solid alliance that cannot be shaken by any crises.
He also stated that “Turkey has made every effort to lift the unfair blockade imposed on Qatar. Upon the outbreak of the crisis, Turkey stood by Qatar and supported the Qatari brothers through the provision of food and resources, such as fruits, vegetables and dairy products via cargo planes. We hope that this crisis of 3 years will be resolved as soon as possible”.
He stressed that “Qatar and Turkey are strategic allies co-operating on many issues at bilateral, regional and international levels. Our bilateral relations have witnessed remarkable progress in the recent years in almost all fields”. He also stated “Qatari-Turkish relations are deep-rooted dating back to the years before even the establishment of our modern states. They continued to develop after the establishment of the Republic of Turkey and later the State of Qatar and witnessed a significant jump particularly in the last decade.”
Qatar and Turkey’s approach to relations a source of inspiration
The ambassador said that “The Qatari-Turkish consensus in policies and principles is one of the most encouraging factors to pursue further growth in the relations. The two countries with regard to foreign policy for example share the same principles concerning mediation efforts and humanitarian diplomacy”.
He added: “Turkey and Qatar stand for fairness and justice that support interests of people. This is the common Qatari-Turkish position as we only aim to support people from a humanitarian standpoint that advances justice and fairness”.
He also said “we see that the Qatari-Turkish approach in relations is a source of inspiration and hope as well as a model worth emulating in diplomatic relations”.
Interest in learning the Turkish language and its culture in Qatar
The ambassador pointed out that “There is cultural harmony between the peoples of the two countries”, pointing to the desire of the citizens and residents of Qatar to learn the Turkish language at the Turkish cultural institute “Yunus Emre” in Qatar.
He said 30% of the total students, which have reached 1,650 since the establishment of the centre in 2015, are Qatari citizens. In addition to the Turkish School in Qatar, the centre contributes to Turkish language training in a number of Qatari institutions, such as Qatar University, the Languages Institute of the Qatari Armed Forces, Qatar National Library and the Qatari Women Association.
He explained that “in addition to teaching the Turkish language, the centre introduces students to Turkish culture, arts and literature in the right way. A number of cultural and artistic activities and courses, such as traditional archery, painting with oil, paper marbling and tile painting have been organised. The centre also works to highlight the position that Qatar has reached in these fields”.
He pointed out that “there are dozens of Turkish students studying at universities in Qatar, as well as a number of Turkish professors and faculty members teaching at various universities in Qatar”.
New Qatari investment laws are an opportunity for the Turkish investor
The ambassador stated that “there are great opportunities for Turkish investors in Qatar, as Doha in recent years has done an excellent job at encouraging foreign investment, and has introduced many reforms to attract foreign investment”.
The ambassador praised “The amendments and reforms in Qatar that aim to create a competitive business environment, including the new foreign ownership system which enables 100% foreign ownership in some sectors”.
He added “we aim to encourage Turkish investors and companies to invest in Doha, as our relationship with Qatar is based on achieving mutual interests”.
Göksu also praised Qatar Financial Centre, one of the leading and fastest growing financial and commercial centres in the world, on its role in shedding light on opportunities for foreign direct investment in Qatar.
First hosts of a major sports tournament in the region
Göksu said: “We are happy that for the first time in the Arab and Islamic World, Qatar is hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup. We have expressed our full readiness to support Qatar in successfully organising this prestigious international tournament.”
He added: “Despite the slowdown in global economic and commercial activities due to Covid-19 epidemic, Qatar’s preparation for the 2022 World Cup did not stop, thanks to the good management of the Qatari authorities and the determination of our Qatari brothers”.
He stated: “We are pleased the preparations are proceeding as expected in line with the planned timeline.
Based on what I have seen in preparations and projects, I am fully confident that Qatar will host an impressive World Cup, and will be a source of pride for the entire Arab and Islamic region”.
He added “there is co-operation between Turkey and Qatar in regards to the World Cup, whether at an infrastructural level or from a security standpoint, as our countries have signed a security co-operation protocol, aimed at securing 2022 World Cup and exchanging experiences in this regard”.
Turkish ambassador to Qatar Dr Mustafa G?ksu. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil
