National Day/ Turkish Ambassador to QNA: Qatar Now Amongst Developed Countries, World Cup Dazzled the World

Doha, December 17 (QNA) - HE Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Qatar Mehmet Mustafa Goksu affirmed that the State of Qatar's decision to set the date of the World Cup finals on the same day as Qatar National Day reflects the intelligence, wise management, and good planning that Qatar enjoys. His Excellency expressed his great happiness for organizing the World Cup in this dazzling manner, despite the media campaigns that targeted the tournament and tried to undermine Qatar's ability and readiness. In an exclusive statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA), HE the Ambassador said that this year's Qatar National Day carries great significance as it coincides with Doha's harnessing of all its enormous capabilities, giant projects, and attractive ideas that dazzled the world. Qatar's success in organizing the first World Cup in the Middle East and the Arab region paves the way for other Islamic countries to hold the world championship in the future. The world today praises the success of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 as the safest edition. The number of attendees in the group stage matches reached 2.45 million fans, an average occupancy rate of up to 96 percent of the stadiums' capacity, constituting a record exceeding the numbers of audience attendance in the previous World Cup in Russia, in which the number of attendees for the group stage reached 2.17 million fans, according to the figures announced by FIFA, His Excellency pointed out. HE the Turkish Ambassador noted that the State of Qatar today is among the most developed countries, due to its achievement in human and material investments, in addition to the national strategies directed by that HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, for the country to reap its achievements and successes in various political, economic, social and sports fields, resulting from strategic plans and aspirations for the future of Qatar, to follow the path of excellence and to make Qatars name echo in all international forums, as a role model for growth and development. HE expressed his admiration for this year's Qatar National Day slogan "Our Unity, Source of Our Strength," because it is a realistic expression that reflects the reality of Qatari people since their unity will remain a source of their strength and the secret to their achievements and renaissance despite the challenges they faced. The National Day slogan reflects the originality, determination, and chivalry of the Qatari people since the establishment of the state. Regarding the Qatari-Turkish relations, HE Ambassador said that over the past two decades, the bilateral relations have witnessed great development in various fields, imperative to maintaining and strengthening this momentum with a long-term strategic vision, in light of the exceptional and distinguished relationship as a result of the great rapprochement at the level of leadership, people, commonalities, and unlimited solidarity between them in times of crisis. The Qatari-Turkish Supreme Strategic Committee held annually between the leadership of the two countries constitutes an important element that distinguishes this bilateral relationship. Since the establishment of the committee in 2014, the number of agreements has exceeded 100. The investments of the State of Qatar in Turkey have exceeded USD 33.2 billion, and the value of projects implemented by Turkish construction companies in the infrastructure of Qatar has amounted to USD 22 billion. Additionally, the trade volume exchange between the two countries during the past five years increased to 60 percent and the trade volume of Turkish exports to Qatar increased by 200 percent in the same period, His Excellency noted. Similarly, HE Ambassador stated that 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Turkey and Qatar, constituting an important occasion to reach these strong relations with broad horizons. At the end of his statement to QNA, HE Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Qatar Mehmet Mustafa Goksu said that the aspirations of the Qatari leadership have no limits, despite the advanced stages it has gone through in achieving comprehensive advancement. It remains keen to strive for the best for human dignity, well-being, and dignity and to obtain its rights and aspirations. His Excellency hopes for an everlasting success for the State of Qatar, HH the Amir, and its government and people on the occasion of the National Day and for continued success and continuous prosperity at all levels. (QNA)