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QNA
Doha
PRESIDENT of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has stressed the importance of Qatari-Turkish relations, which has witnessed a rapid development in all fields, in recent years.
The Turkish president said that the strong relations between the two countries are based on historical ties and has reached an"excellent level".
In an interview with Al Arab published on Wednesday, the Turkish president said that both countries have the same strong political will that promotes mutual trust and has led the relations to a strategic level.
Erdogan stressed that the strengthening of cooperation between the two countries gradually in all areas has yielded positive results, noting the Emir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani's visit to Turkey in December 2014, during which the establishment of a mechanism for cooperation and consultation was agreed upon under the name of the"Supreme Strategic Committee", which is considered an important step.
The Turkish president said the Qatari-Turkish close cooperation is very important for the regional future, expressing confidence that the next meeting of the Supreme Strategic Committee, to be held in Doha this year, is for the interest of both countries.
President Erdogan added that his country will not forget Qatar's solidarity and support during the failed coup attempt on June 15, emphasising that Qatar proved that it is a real friend that stood by Turkey in its difficult days.
Moreover, the Turkish president stressed that maintaining the level of the excellent political relations and developing them were tied to the close cooperation in military and defence as well. He also said that Turkey signed with Qatar a cooperation agreement on December 19, 2014, on military training and defence industries, pointing to the cooperation in many fields from military training to the joint military exercises, as well as infrastructure services.
Regarding his assessment of Qatar's role on the regional and global arenas, especially the mediatory role played by Doha between various parties in many trouble spots, Erdogan said:"At this point, we have to give Qatar a special status for adopting a dynamic, reasonable and strong foreign policy, as it seeks to find solutions to crises, plays a mediating role and suggests real and serious solutions by taking the reins of initiatives. All of these things make Qatar effective, respected and appreciated."
Erdogan believed that Qatar will develop new policies in order to stop the bloodshed, prevent tragedies and end crises and conflicts.
On the developments in Syria, the Turkish president said that his country is working closely with both Saudi Arabia and Qatar for the security and peace of the Syrian people.
Regarding his current tour in the region that included Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, President Erdogan said that this tour had been a golden opportunity for closer bilateral relations and exchanging views on regional issues, particularly the Syrian conflict. He stressed that a ceasefire in the Syrian city of Aleppo and Astana talks were an important step, adding that the Geneva talks to be held in February is also significant.
The president pointed out that along with the United States' position after the election of President Donald Trump, the efforts of the countries in the region such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar will effectively contribute to the solution to the Syrian issue.
