Two Turkish Experts Confirm to QNA Importance of Qatari-Turkish Joint High Strategic Committee

Doha, October 13 (QNA) - Two Turkish experts stressed the great importance of the visit being made by HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to chair the eighth meeting of the Qatari-Turkish Supreme Strategic Committee, as it comes under exceptional circumstances that the region and the world face. In an interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA), the two experts noted the prominent roles played by the State of Qatar and Turkey in supporting the security and stability of the region and the world, in light of the important successes of Qatari and Turkish diplomacy regionally and internationally during the past years, the coordination and cooperation between the two countries, and convergence of views on many international issues. They noted that the Qatari-Turkish Supreme Strategic Committee meeting will discuss strengthening the strategic partnership and exceptional relations in many areas, in addition to political coordination regarding the current challenges facing the region and the Arab and Islamic nations. The Republic of Turkey and the State of Qatar enjoy strong brotherly relations and a well-established strategic partnership. During the past few years, the relations between the two countries have witnessed remarkable development in various fields, including the political, military, and economic fields. The two countries have strengthened these distinguished relations by signing many bilateral agreements, protocols, and memoranda of understanding in various fields. For his part, the Director of Middle Eastern Studies Center (ORSAM) in Ankara Ahmet Uysal stressed the importance of the eighth meeting of the Qatari-Turkish Supreme Strategic Committee, especially with the major transformations that the world, the region, and the Islamic world are experiencing. The committee's meetings will discuss these transformations that the world is witnessing in light of the strong relations that bind the two countries, as it is scheduled to review various urgent issues and their regional and international impacts, he noted. In an interview with QNA, Uysal said that the State of Qatar and Turkey play important roles in supporting and strengthening the security and stability of the region and the world, and have identical views on many regional and international issues. The Qatari-Turkish Supreme Strategic Committee meeting constitutes an important opportunity to discuss current regional and international issues and their repercussions, such as the Russian-Ukrainian crisis. Such issues require great political and economic coordination between the two brotherly countries. The meetings will also be an opportunity to discuss and develop means of cooperation in the cultural and scientific fields, especially regarding the projects of Qatari-Turkish universities and cultural centers in both countries, which will bring the people of the two countries closer, he said. In recent years, Qatari-Turkish relations have risen from a level of friendship to a strategic partnership. The strong coordination characterizes the relations between the two countries, trust has been enhanced and reached the stage of integration in various fields, he stressed. Regarding the economic relations between Turkey and Qatar, he stressed the strength and sustainability of the economic relations in light of common interests, mutual benefits, and the continuous keenness to develop these relations. There are large Qatari investments in Turkey, and opportunities to increase and develop these investments in the future, especially in education, tourism, and other fields. Likewise, Qatar has many opportunities available for Turkish investments, he explained. Regarding the possibility of Qatari-Turkish cooperation in food security in light of the Russian-Ukrainian crisis, the Director of Middle Eastern Studies Center (ORSAM) in Ankara said that the war in Ukraine affected global food security. Qatar and Turkey's cooperation in this field will be promising and achieved through the establishment of agricultural projects in countries in Africa and Asia while benefiting from the capabilities of the two countries in this regard. On the cooperation between the Middle Eastern Studies Center (ORSAM) in Ankara and institutions and research centers in Qatar, Uysal said that they participate in many conferences organized by the Al Jazeera Network, the Doha Forum, the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies and Qatar University, and have good communication and strong relations with educational and scientific institutions in Qatar. In addition, they periodically publish several reports that monitor the transformations in the region. Concluding his interview with QNA, Uysal affirmed that Qatar's hosting of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 is a source of pride for Qatar and an achievement to be reckoned with since Qatar is taking steps to organize a successful version of the tournament. This global event represents an opportunity to promote Arab and Islamic culture, and undoubtedly Turkey strongly supports Qatar's efforts to make this tournament a success. For his part, the Director of Foreign Policy Studies at the Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research (SETA), Dr. Muhittin Ataman stressed that the Turkish-Qatari relations are a model to be emulated globally due to the two countries trust at the societal and political level, and cooperation in various fields. In an exclusive interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA), Ataman praised the remarkable diplomatic role that Qatar has played during the past 20 years to solve a number of crises in the region, making it a reliable mediator in resolving differences and establishing stability. He pointed out that Turkey and Qatar can cooperate closely in this field. Ataman expects that the Qatari-Turkish Joint High Strategic Committee will produce positive results in the interest of developing relations, especially in the economic, education, and military fields, as well as regional and international issues of common interest. Regarding the Russian-Ukrainian war and its repercussions on global food security, Ataman said that he sees that there will be serious cooperation between Qatar and Turkey in this field. Qatar will play a complementary role alongside Turkey in ending this crisis and making great contributions alongside Turkey in transporting grain to African countries and all countries in need. On his opinion on the economic partnership between the two countries, Ataman stressed that the two countries' economies are complementary. There is a Turkish investment market trying to attract Qatari investors, and vice versa. He highlighted that his country continues to invite investors, especially if they are from a reliable country like Qatar. As for the role of the SETA in strengthening relations between the two countries, he pointed out that the center has close relations with the centers in Qatar. The center has carried out many events and activities with Al Jazeera and the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies. At the end of October, the center will publish a book on Qatar's foreign policy. Regarding the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Ataman considered that Qatar's hosting of the first World Cup in an Islamic country is a source of pride for everyone. He expects that Qatar will succeed in organizing this event exceptionally, thanks to the great experience it has in hosting major global events. (QNA)