Advisor to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and a Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Majed Mohammad Hassan Abdullah Al-Ansari praised the strategic relations between the State of Qatar and the Republic of Turkey and the advanced level they have reached in all fields, stressing that the two countries continue to coordinate with one another on many international issues to help de-escalation many regions of the world.
In an exclusive statements to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Dr. Al-Ansari affirmed the continuation of the two countries’ work to enhance cooperation, solidarity and coordination in international and regional organizations, including the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and their desire to work together within the framework of the Asian Cooperation Dialogue and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia, and their commitment to contribute to the sustainable development of the African continent and promote possible joint cooperation projects to achieve this goal, and to extend a helping hand and provide humanitarian assistance to victims of natural disasters and wars.
on the level of coordination and cooperation between Doha and Ankara in the regional, international, political and economic issues, he said that it was It is natural for Doha and Ankara to work in complete coordination and harmony in various regional and international files, in particular those of joint interest from both countries, given the strong strategic relations between the State of Qatar and the Republic of Turkey.
He added that a big indication of the depth of relations and strong coordination between the two sides on many important international issues was the intensive level of mutual visits between the leadership and senior officials from both sides, as well as the regularity of the meetings of the Supreme Strategic Committee since its establishment in 2014.
In this regard, he affirmed that the two countries will continue to enhance regional and global efforts to establish international peace and security, combat terrorism and resolve conflicts by peaceful means, noting in this regard their joint efforts to achieve a just solution and lasting peace in Afghanistan, and their absolute support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people to establish their independent state within the 1967 borders.
And regarding the benefits that will accrue to the private sector in the two countries through the solid strategic relationship between the leadership in the two countries, especially in light of the presence of 711 Turkish companies operating in Qatar, including about 664 companies with Qatari-Turkish capital, he said that well-established strategic relations between any two countries are reflected in mutual investments, including private sector investments, which ultimately bring many benefits to investors and peoples.
He added that just as there is openness from the Turkish private sector to invest in Qatar, evidenced by the presence of hundreds of Turkish companies operating in Qatar, most of which operate with joint capital, the State of Qatar is considered for its part one of the largest investors in Turkey with more than $20 billion.
He pointed out that the Qatari private sector has enhanced its presence remarkably in a number of fields in Turkey like real estate, contracting, tourism, manufacturing and media. He expressed his hope that more Qatari investments will be recorded in Turkey, in light of the developing relations.
Dr. Al Ansari noted that the meetings between Qatari and Turkish businessmen did not stop even in the days of the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the Qatar-Turkey Business Forum. He said that the forum was held in September 2020 via video communication technology, with the participation of about 1,500 companies from the two countries, and discussed ways to increase and enhance commercial cooperation and investment, and the establishment of alliances and partnerships that support the economies of the two countries. He noted that this was an example of the openness and many benefits that may accrue to Qatari and Turkish private sectors.
On the implementation of agreements in the economic, investment, trade, and energy fields, he said that over the past years, the State of Qatar and the Republic of Turkey have signed dozens of agreements and memoranda of understanding in various fields. He added that the competent authorities in both countries were undoubtedly striving for the full implementation and practical application of these agreements through joint follow-up committees in implementation of the leadership’s directives and to achieve the aspirations of the two brotherly peoples.
Al Ansari expected the level of strategic relations between the two countries to increase over the next few years, based on the pace of development seen over the past few years and the solidarity both countries showed in times of crises in light of the agreement on many political issues and the leaderships’ announced commitment to pushing ties further and increase cooperation in all fields.
He also expected that relations would witness more coordination between Doha and Ankara in the international arena, in order to reduce the escalation in more than one region, defuse tensions and enhance security and peace in the region and the world at large, pointing out that Qatar welcomed last March the Turkish mediation between Russia and Ukraine.
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs