(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Qatar and Turkey yesterday pledged to strengthen their relations and enhance co-operation as the two countries signed 15 agreements and memoranda of understanding covering various sectors.
HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan presided over the first meeting of the Qatari-Turkish Supreme Strategic Committee at the Emiri Diwan.
After the meeting, the Emir said they had discussed "all issues of concern to the two countries", describing ties between them as "developing, not only on political, economic and military levels but also on the higher strategic level co-ordination".
In a press statement, the Emir said positions of Qatar and Turkey "are constant and identical on issues concerning the region" expressing his appreciation on Turkey's "firm positions towards Arab causes, particularly the Palestinian issue, the main issue for the Arabs, and the Syrian crisis".
The Emir said that meeting dealt with the region's 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 (for this) is the repressive regimes in the region."
The meeting reviewed hopes of people in the region and, in particular, the beginning of the Arab Spring in 2011, the Emir said, pointing out that young people were full of expectations but they were thwarted and frustrated.
He said that 15 agreements and memoranda of understanding were signed between the two countries at the meeting, adding that "more agreements would be signed in future to strengthen bilateral relations and in the interest of the two brotherly peoples".
President Erdogan said the strong relations in political, economic, commercial and other areas between the two countries were the focus of the discussions during the meeting. He added that there would be regular contacts between relevant ministers from both countries.
Erdogan said it was agreed to expand bilateral co-operation in military, financial and economic fields, noting that the two countries stood together in the fight against terrorism.
He stressed his concern over the Palestinian issue and the Syrian crisis.
The president said the region and the Muslim world were passing through a very critical stage, especially in Palestine and Syria as well as in a number of areas such as Arakan, stressing the need for solidarity to overcome such situations.
"I believe that Turkey and Qatar are marching toward the future with a steady pace," he said.
He highlighted the important role of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the GCC.
The president expressed his confidence that the Qatari-Turkish Supreme Strategic Committee meeting's outcome would be beneficial to both countries. Page 12
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