Doha, October 21 (QNA) - The State of Qatar and the Republic of Turkiye are bound by distinguished historical relations, which have grown stronger and more solid over time, along with a growing strategic partnership.

In the context of strengthening those relations and partnership, and the keenness of both countries to coordinate on various issues of common interest, HE President of the Republic of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan begins an official visit to the State of Qatar.

HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani will meet with HE President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Amiri Diwan to discuss relations between the two countries and ways to strengthen them in various political, economic, and investment fields. They will also discuss key regional and international issues of mutual interest.

The visit of HE President of the sisterly Republic of Turkiye to Doha is of particular importance given the circumstances and challenges facing the Arab region. It also reflects the determination of both countries and the shared commitment of their leaderships to work and strive by all means to strengthen bilateral relations in a way that serves the interests of both countries and their fraternal peoples across all fields.

During the visit, HH the Amir and HE the President of the Republic of Turkiye will co-chair the 11th session of the Qatari-Turkish Supreme Strategic Committee, the most important high-level bilateral mechanism between the two countries. Since the committee's establishment in 2014, more than 110 agreements and memoranda of understanding have been signed to support and develop cooperation between the two countries in various sectors.

The convening of the Turkish-Qatari Supreme Strategic Committee in Doha will undoubtedly contribute to advancing cooperation between the two countries and open new horizons for cooperation in various areas. This will also consolidate the gains already made, review the signed agreements, and discuss any outstanding issues or clauses between the two parties.

The committee's meetings over the past ten years have been an important factor and a strong driver for developing bilateral relations between the two countries and continuing joint strategic coordination, thanks to the great support the committee has received from HH the Amir and HE the President of the Republic of Turkiye.

The committee held its 10th meeting in Ankara in November, unde the chairmanship HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and HE President of the Republic of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan. According to a joint statement, the meeting's outcomes reflected the political will of the leaderships of the two countries and their keenness to deepen cooperation and strategic partnership across all fields, in a manner that meets the aspirations of the two countries and their fraternal peoples.

The statement added that the committee's 10th session, held in a spirit of cooperation and brotherhood, once again reflected the strong historical ties, distinguished relations, and mutual understanding between the two countries, as well as their shared desire to strengthen their partnership in various fields.

The two sides commended the success of the Supreme Strategic Committee and its contribution to strengthening the exceptional relations between the two countries. The committee reviewed the progress made in the areas of cooperation referred to in the outcome documents of the 9th session, and expressed satisfaction with the level of existing cooperation. The two sides expressed their satisfaction with the signing of more than 100 cooperation documents within the framework of the previous nine sessions.

Regarding trade, finance, investment, and energy, the statement indicated that taking into account the potential of the two countries' economies and emphasizing the common goal of reaching a trade volume of USD 5 billion in the near future, the two sides agreed to explore new opportunities to expand and diversify their trade and economic relations. They also emphasized their desire to enhance cooperation in the field of economy and finance, existing in public-private partnerships, and exchange of experiences between institutions and business communities, in line with the memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation between the Ministry of Finance of the State of Qatar and the Ministry of Treasury and Finance of the Republic of Turkiye.

The two sides expressed their satisfaction with the holding of the first meeting of the Qatar-Turkiye Joint Economic and Trade Commission (JETCO) in Istanbul on Feb. 8, 2024. They agreed to follow up on the decisions and activities contained in the signed protocol and to bring the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement into force as soon as possible, which will contribute to strengthening trade, economic, and investment relations between Qatar and Turkiye.

Qatar and Turkiye share strong strategic relations that have evolved over time since their establishment in 1973. In July 2023, the two countries celebrated the 50th anniversary of their relations, which have transformed from ordinary relations to strategic relations in recent years, encompassing several different fields. Qatar and Turkiye demonstrate strong solidarity in times of crisis, thanks to the closeness between the leaders and peoples of the two countries.

Relations between Doha and Ankara are not built solely on commercial, economic, or investment foundations. Rather, the two countries share a common vision on numerous regional and international political issues, particularly those unfolding in the Gaza Strip. These policies and stances align with Qatar's unwavering stance on the plight of the fraternal Palestinian people in the Strip. The same applies to numerous regional and international issues and hotspots around the world.

Relations between the two countries represent a model for interstate relations, evident in mutual visits at the level of leaders, ministers, and officials from various sectors, as well as multiple committees for economic, trade, and financial cooperation, and joint forums and exhibitions.

The growing trade volume between the two sides demonstrates the development of bilateral relations between the two countries, especially in light of the presence of direct shipping lines, a number of agreements signed between them, and an abundance of mutual investments. Turkiye is considered a distinct investment destination for Qataris, and Qatar is considered one of the largest foreign investors in Turkiye. The Qatar Investment Authority manages a number of large projects there, and there are several Turkish companies operating in the Qatari market that operate in various sectors.

On the other hand, the Qatari private sector has recorded a notable presence in recent years in a number of Turkish investment fields such as real estate, contracting, tourism, manufacturing, media, finance, and health. The recent period has also witnessed a shift in Qatari investments towards the ports and technology sectors.

Qatar owns shares in several Turkish companies, especially BMC, the engine and tank manufacturer, of which it owns 49.9 percent. Qatar also has investments in several Turkish companies and projects, particularly the Istanbul Canal project, which is planned for implementation in the coming years.

The Qatar Chamber hosts numerous Turkish trade delegations that visit the country regularly, and there is constant communication between the private sectors of both countries, reviewing and following up on trade cooperation relations, the investment climate, and the most important sectors in which businesspersons from both sides can invest.

In February, the Inaugural ministerial meeting of the Qatari-Turkish joint financial and economic committee was held in Istanbul. The meeting was co-chaired by HE Minister of Finance Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari and HE Minister of Treasury and Finance of the Republic of Turkiye Mehmet Simsek. The meeting was attended by a number of senior officials from governmental and private entities in both countries.

During its meeting, the committee reviewed a set of proposals and visions for enhancing economic and investment cooperation between the two countries. It exchanged views on Qatari-Turkish economic projects and trade opportunities, as well as mutual visits by economic delegations to strengthen bilateral relations in the financial and economic fields. Economic expertise was also reviewed, highlighting the importance of leveraging the two countries' experiences in reforms that contribute to diversifying the two national economies.

There is also cultural cooperation between the two countries. The Yunus Emre Turkish Cultural Center was opened in Doha in 2015 to strengthen cultural relations between the two countries. In 2018, an agreement was signed between the two countries, covering the exchange of historical documents, scientific sources, and cultural expertise. Another agreement was signed in 2021 between the Qatar National Library and the National Library of Turkiye in the scientific, technical, and cultural fields. The first Turkish school was also opened in Qatar in 2016. There are approximately 10 Turkish universities listed by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, and there is cooperation between the two countries in the field of scholarships and study missions. (QNA)