Qatar Turkey sign several agreements

(MENAFN- The Peninsula)

DOHA: Qatar and Turkey yesterday signed several agreements in the presence of Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the visiting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Both the leaders presided over the first meeting of Qatar-Turkish Supreme Strategic Committee at the Emiri Diwan reported Qatar News Agency (QNA).

The meeting was also attended by Deputy Emir H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani and a number of ministers.

Members of the large delegation which is accompanying the Turkish President were also present. After the meeting 15 agreements were signed between Qatar and Turkey including one on a protocol on cooperation in the field of training and education between the interior ministries of the two countries.

Another on cooperation between the Lekhwiya (Internal Security Force) and the Turkish Gendarmerie General Command was signed. Yet another agreement was inked in the field of public financial management development and a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was concluded in the field of education and another MoU for cooperation in the field of environment.

Besides a maritime transport agreement was signed and an MoU was inked on mutual recognition of national certificate of those working at sea.

A cooperation protocol was concluded in the field of archives between the two countries.

An MoU was inked between Qatar Development Bank (QDB) and the Turkey Export Import Bank another MoU was inked between the QDB and the Development Bank of Turkey and yet another one between the QDB and Turkish Bank Eksi to exchange businesses. The most important agreement was concerning small and medium-sized projects.

In addition Qatar Petroleum (QP) and Turkish Botas inked a deal in the natural gas sector. A cooperation protocol was signed in the field of press and information and a draft protocol of cooperation was concluded between Qatar Foundation for Education Science and Community Development (QF) and the Scientific and Research Council of Turkey.

Erdogan also announced that visa-free travel will be allowed between Qatar and Turkey.

Before the Committee’s meeting the Emir and Erdogan met in the presence of the Deputy Emir and they discussed relations and cooperation between their two countries and means of further developing them in different fields.

Earlier Erdogan arrived at the Emiri Diwan where he was accorded warm and official welcome. The Emir welcomed Erdogan to Qatar which he described as his second home and expressed his pleasure over his visit for the maiden meeting of the joint Strategic Committee of the two countries. He said the establishment of the Committee will lead to a quantum leap in the relations between the two brotherly countries.

The Emir also expressed the confidence that the Strategic Committee’s meeting would come out with fruitful results contributing to realizing further progress and growth in all fields.

The Emir said agreements between the two sides were lined up for signing. The meeting the Emir said would provide an opportunity for consultation on issues of mutual concern particularly regional and international developments and dangers threatening the security and stability in the region and the rest of the world. Erdogan expressed thanks and appreciation to the Emir for warm reception and hospitality accorded to him and his delegation expressing confidence that the visit would contribute to further enhancing relations between both countries and cooperation. The meeting reviewed close relations and cooperation between both countries and ways to further and deepen them.

QNA reported that a statement issued after the meeting at the Emiri Diwan said Qatar and Turkey have identical stand on issues concerning the region and expressed appreciation for Turkey’s firm position on Arab causes particularly the Palestinian cause which is the main issue for Arabs and the Syrian crisis.

The Emir said the meeting also dealt with regional problems including the spread of the phenomenon of terrorism.

“We are all concerned with the fight against terrorism but must search for the main reason for the emergence of terrorist groups. We all agree that the reason is repressive regimes.” The meeting also reviewed hopes of the people in the region in particular the beginning of Arab Spring in 2011.

The Emir said: “Young people were full of hopes but their hopes were thwarted and frustrated.

The Emir said at the meeting 15 agreements were signed and many more will be inked in future to strengthen relations between two sides. The Emir hosted a luncheon banquet in honour of Erdogan and his delegation. Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani Advisory Council Speaker Mohamed bin Mubarak Al Khulaifi Sheikhs ministers and businessmen attended. Erdogan left in the evening following a two-day official visit. He and his delegation were seen off at Hamad International Airport by Minister of Culture Arts and Heritage H E Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari Turkish Ambassador Ahmet Demirok and other officials.

The Peninsula