Qatar's Ambassador to Turkey Lauds the Two Countries Relations
Ankara – Information Office – 14 November
HE the State of Qatar's Ambassador to the Republic of Turkey Salem bin Mubarak Al Shafi praised the level of Qatar-Turkey bilateral relations in all fields, pointing that the high-level diplomatic visits between the two countries are important and necessary, as they maintain the momentum of bilateral cooperation.
In an interview with Turkish news agency (Anadolu), HE the Ambassador stressed the importance of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Doha, pointing out that it comes amid growing regional challenges.
The visit comes in the context of holding the third session of the Higher Strategic Committee between the two countries, he said stressing that the two sides share the common desire of raising the volume of trade exchange and increasing cooperation in the economic and investment fields.
HE the Ambassador also praised the Turkish role and the great efforts exerted by Turkish officials, headed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to defuse the Gulf crisis since its outbreak as well as their strong support for Kuwait's mediation. He voiced his belief that Turkey still had the resources to continue its good endeavors and constructive efforts among the various parties.
On the economic and trade relations between Ankara and Doha, HE Ambassador Al Shafi said those relations have developed significantly over the past decade, stressing that the concerned officials meet regularly and periodically to discuss and evaluate the opportunities available in both countries.
He said that the State of Qatar has investments in several sectors in Turkey, especially in industry, banking, infrastructure, construction, tourism and media as well as other sectors, and that it looks forward to make new investments in agriculture and energy.
On the other side, currently in Qatar, there are about 186 joint Qatari-Turkish companies and about 19 Turkish companies with full ownership, according to Qatar Chamber figures, HE the Ambassador said. The activities of these companies are mainly in the fields of infrastructure, contracting, construction, engineering and trade, he added pointing that the total value of the projects carried out by Turkish companies in Qatar is around USD 11.6 billion.
With regard to the establishment of a land trading route between Turkey, Qatar and Iran, HE Ambassador Al Shafi said that the three countries agreed in October to draft a memorandum of understanding to establish a land route for trade between them, indicating that the final agreement in its final stages. He revealed in this context that most of the points were agreed upon, and there remained some simple logistical matters that are expected to be finalized.
He added that the agreement would allow the carriage of goods by road from Turkey to Iran and then transferred from Iranian ports through the Roro ships to Hamad port in Qatar.
As for the military and defense cooperation between Qatar and Turkey, HE the Ambassador said that these relations aim to develop Qatar's military capabilities, ensure the country's national security against foreign threats and help fight and combat terrorism. He stressed that the military and defense relations between the two countries are governed by bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding, as is the case with the United States and European countries.