*Trade and economic partnership agreement aims at liberalising trade in goods and services, and co-operation in electronic commerce and attracting investment
Further strengthening bilateral ties, Qatar and Turkey on Monday signed an agreement and a number of memorandums of understanding in the presence of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at Vahdettin Pavilion in Istanbul.
This followed the fourth meeting of Qatar-Turkey Supreme Strategic Committee. A MoU was signed between Qatar Civil Aviation Authority and Turkey’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation. Another was for the Cultural Year 2019-2020 with regard to co-operation in the field of culture between the two countries.
Two co-operation protocols were also signed. The first is on co-operation and training in the field of electronic warfare, and the second on the exchange of members of the armed forces.
A trade and economic partnership agreement too was signed aimed at liberalising trade in goods and services, co-operation in electronic commerce and attracting investment between the two sides.
The ceremonies were concluded by signing the joint statement issued by the fourth meeting of Qatar-Turkey Supreme Strategic Committee.
Earlier, His Highness the Amir and Turkish President co-chaired the fourth meeting of Qatar-Turkey Supreme Strategic Committee. At the outset of the meeting, President Erdogan welcomed His Highness the Amir and the accompanying delegation, and expressed pleasure for the visit which comes in the framework of the Supreme Strategic Committee.
His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan co-chairing the fourth meeting of Qatar-Turkey Supreme Strategic Committee in Istanbul.
The Turkish president praised the level of relations and co-operation between the two countries which coincides with the commemoration of the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. He underlined that Turkey and Qatar have supported one another in hard times, and proved to be true friends on many occasions, especially in hard days, referring to Turkey's efforts to lift the unjust siege on Qatar, and Qatar's great support to Turkey during the failed coup in June 2016, as well as its support during the fierce campaign against Turkey recently.
President Erdogan, on behalf of the Turkish people, expressed his deep thanks for Qatar's solidarity and its strong stand in support of Turkey.
The Turkish president said the bilateral meeting with His Highness the Amir was very fruitful, noting it discussed the level of relations between the two countries and means of bolstering the strategic co-operation and expanding its horizons, stressing the convergence of views on issues related to regional developments.
His Highness the Amir expressed thanks and gratitude to the Turkish President for the warm hospitality, expressing pleasure to visit Turkey for the fourth meeting of Qatar-Turkey Supreme Strategic Committee, which he described as a strong model of fraternal relations.
Responding to the Turkish President's thanks for Qatar for its support, His Highness the Amir said that it was the duty of Qatar by virtue of brotherhood, affirming that Qatar will never forget the support of the Turkish President personally to Qatar in the crisis that started a year and seven months ago.
His Highness the Amir noted that Qatar was wronged in this crisis, but Turkey stood with the truth and now Qatar has proved to the world that it was right and that the accusations against it were false.
His Highness the Amir added that the support for Turkey is the support of all Qatar and the people of Qatar. "We are advocates of peace and we do not want problems, but be assured, Mr President, that if Turkey needs anything in the future we will always stand with our friends and brothers."
His Highness the Amir underlined that Turkey will do the same thing and will always support Qatar.
His Highness the Amir noted that he discussed with the Turkish president during the meeting a number of issues, including the development of the economic and trade relations and other fields.
Talks covered the strategic co-operation relations between the two countries in various fields. The two sides also exchanged views and consulted on the most important issues on the regional and international arenas.
The meeting was attended by members of the official delegation accompanying the Amir, and a number of ministers and senior officials from the Turkish side.
His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani reviews a guard of honour upon arrival in Istanbul airport
His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan witness the signing of agreements and MoUs between the governments of Qatar and Turkey in Istanbul.
During the bilateral meeting which was held prior to the fourth meeting of Qatar-Turkey Supreme Strategic Committee, the Amir and the Turkish president reviewed areas of joint cooperation, mainly in the fields of politics, trade, economy, investment and culture.
The two sides also discussed the latest developments in the region, and exchanged views on issues of mutual concern. His Highness the Amir also attended the dinner banquet hosted by the Turkish president at Vahdettin Pavilion.
His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani was later seen off at Istanbul’s Ataturk International Airport by Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlut Cavusoglu, Qatar's ambassador to Turkey Salem Mubarak Shafi al-Shafi, Turkey's ambassador to Qatar Fikret Ozer and the Qatar embassy staff.
His Highness the Amir sent a cable to Erdogan to express deep thanks and appreciation for the warm welcome and hospitality accorded to him during the visit.
His Highness the Amir expressed his deep satisfaction with the positive and constructive outcome of the meeting, which will contribute to strengthening and developing the strong relations between the two brotherly countries and his best wishes of the best of health and wellness for the president and further progress and prosperity for the Turkish people.
