Director of Communications in the Turkish Presidency Fahrettin Altun underlined the significance of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani's visit to Turkey in further promoting the strong and strategic brotherly relations between the two countries. Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Altun said that at this critical period in which balances are changing in the region, the Amir's visit contributes to enhancing the influence of Qatar and Turkey in regional politics.
"We see that the visit is very important in terms of strengthening co-ordination and co-operation between Ankara and Doha. This visit also reveals the consensus of our countries' positions towards regional and global issues," he added. Altun underlined that the relations that his country has developed with Qatar in areas such as economy, security, diplomacy, culture, tourism and education have transformed the two countries' strategic co-operation into a true brotherhood.
"The two countries have succeeded in overcoming the problems they faced in recent years through close co-operation as friends and brothers," he said, adding that the decisions taken during these visits and the economic and political effects of the agreements signed between the two sides serve the welfare and stability of the two countries. He stressed that Turkey attaches great importance to strengthening its strong brotherly and strategic relations with Qatar, which have developed and consolidated in all fields, including security, political, military, economic, investment, development and cultural in recent years.
He noted that his country's relations with Qatar, which have deep-rooted friendship and brotherhood, are developing rapidly in all fields, adding that the mutual visits give an important impetus to the bilateral relations, and that there is also close co-operation and co-ordination between the two countries on regional issues. He explained that the relations between the two countries were strengthened with the establishment of the Qatar-Turkey Higher Strategic Committee in 2014. More than 80 co-operation agreements were signed in various fields. Mutual official visits and political consultations continue at the highest level between the two countries.
He stated that the two countries support dialogue, diplomacy and mediation efforts for the sake of security, stability and peace; noting that the meeting of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and His Highness the Amir puts lasting solutions to important issues and crises in the Middle East while drawing a vision for the future. The importance of these talks becomes clearer in times of intense tension. In addition, the situation in the region also contributes to strengthening the economic, military and trade co-operation and co-ordination between the two sides.
Director of Communications in the Turkish Presidency Fahrettin Altun pointed to the opening of the new building of the Turkish Embassy in Doha in 2013, which he said opened a new era in the bilateral relations, adding: "In 2014, after his election, President Erdogan made his first visit to Qatar among the Arab countries. The relations between the two countries, which has tend to institutionalise since 2014, have gained a quality that shapes regional politics today."
He added that the relations between Turkey and Qatar, which have close views on regional and international issues, have gained momentum with the developments in the past 20 years. Altun touched on the future of Turkish-Qatari relations, saying: "We can say that the relations between Qatar and Turkey are heading towards more strategic partnerships at the bilateral, regional and international levels, and that the Turkish-Qatari economic relations are in their golden age, and these relations are expanding to include new sectors and agreements."
He added: "We aim to increase the volume of trade between the two countries to $5bn. We also believe that it will be important for Qatar and Turkey to evaluate joint investment opportunities in third countries. There are co-operation opportunities between Turkey and Qatar in the areas of heavy industry, tourism development, agriculture and construction."
Altun underlined the existence of a common position between the two countries on regional and global crises. With Turkey and Qatar working in synergy and harmony in the Middle East, hope will increase for finding a solution to the long-standing conflicts in the region. He explained that Turkey's military relations with Qatar should be seen as a proactive and reinforcing element in this regard.
Regarding Qatar's organisation of the FIFA World Cup 2022, he said: "We welcome the first World Cup to be held in an Islamic country, and we believe that this event, hosted by Qatar, will be successful, and the tournament will enhance Qatar's position on the world sports map as a major destination for major sporting events."
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