Erdogan Highlights Qatari-Turkish Cooperation for Regional Interests

 Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has stressed the importance of Qatari-Turkish relations, which witnessed a rapid development in all fields, especially in recent years.
The Turkish President said that the strong relations between the two countries are based on the historical ties and reached to an excellent level.
In an interview with (Al Arab) Qatari newspaper published Wednesday, the Turkish president said that both countries have the same strong political will that will promote these relations and the mutual trust between the two countries 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 to HH the Emir 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 a very important step.
Since then, the Turkish President said, the two countries witnessed very significant developments, as cooperation and affection between the two countries have been enhanced day after day.
He also noted to the Strategic Committee that has borne fruit in a short period, saying that 30 agreements were signed in the its first and second meetings in Doha and Trabzon, which indeed was an important step.
Erdogan added that during these meetings, the two sides announced joint statements that reflect the their thoughts and attitudes toward regional issues.
The Turkish President pointed out that 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 the State of Qatar's solidarity and support during the failed coup attempt in June 15, emphasising that Qatar proved that it is a real friendly country that stood with Turkey in difficult days.
Meanwhile, the Turkish President stressed that maintaining the level of the excellent political relations and developing them tied to the close cooperation in military and defense fields as well.
He also said that Turkey signed with the State of Qatar a cooperation agreement on December 19, 2014 on military training and defense industries, pointing to the cooperation in many fields from military training to the joint military exercises, as well as infrastructure services.
President Erdogan affirmed that Qatar and Turkey support the regional peace, as well as putting an end to terrorism and all sorts of security threats and risks, and both countries do their duties in this regard. He appealed to all other countries in the region to expand cooperation to stand together against terrorism and security threats.
On concerns about the Qatari-Turkish rapprochement and coordination on various issues and files, President Erdogan said that no one should be concerned about Qatari-Turkey's rapprochement which is based on brotherhood, expressing desire to expand this cooperation to include all countries in the region.
He told Al Arab daily that the important thing here is to enable all our brothers and sisters in the region to live in peace and security, adding "we do not have and cannot have any other goals. Our agreements are transparent and our meetings take place in full view of everyone, and all we wish is to promote this cooperation steadily." Regarding his assessment of Qatar's role on the regional and international arenas, especially the mediation 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." President Erdogan added that the State of Qatar is able to use its economic power efficiently, noting to the major responsibilities that Qatar tolerates for crisis management in the Middle East, Afghanistan and Africa.
Erdogan believed that Qatar will develop new policies in order to stop the bloodshed, prevent tragedies and end the crises and conflicts. 
 On the "duality" of some Western countries criticizing Turkey's actions in facing putschists on the elected power in Ankara, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told Al Arab Arabic daily newspaper that unfortunately, the coup attempt on July 15, 2016 was a test for the Western countries who failed it in terms of adhering to democracy and freedoms.
President Erdogan said that the civilians came out from their homes in that hours, but the Westerns did not want to see this reality, adding that his country had not received a strong message of support from them against the Coup attempt.
Talking about the alleged decline of freedoms in Turkey, President Erdogan said that the allegation decline in the level of freedoms in Turkey is not true, but there is a kind of this decline in European countries that have not been able to stand firm against the failed coup attempt, adding that opposition parties in Turkey with their presence in the Turkish parliament can sharply criticizes government, through their multiple TV channels and newspapers.
On the developments of the Syrian crisis, the Turkish President said since the Syrian crisis started in 2011, his country is working closely with both the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the State of Qatar in coordination and cooperation for the security and peace of the Syrian people. President Erdogan further added that Syrian cities have been destroyed and its infrastructure collapsed and that they are always working to ensure lasting peace as soon as possible.
Regarding his current tour of the region that included both the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the State of Qatar, President Erdogan said that this tour will be a golden opportunity for closer bilateral relations and exchanging views on regional issues, particularly the Syrian issue, adding that they will work together to take the necessary measures to ensure regional stability.
Turkey's President Erdogan stressed that a cease-fire in the Syrian city of Aleppo and Astana talks is an important step, adding that the Geneva talks to be held in February is also important in order to achieve goal. President Erdogan said that along with the United States' position after the election of President Trump, the efforts of the countries in the region such as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the State of Qatar will effectively contribute to the solution to the Syrian issue.

Source: QNA