Türkiye and Qatar have signed a mutual defence agreement and four other deals, as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hosted Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Istanbul.
“President Erdogan stated that the Mutual Defence Agreement signed today by Türkiye and Qatar would add another dimension to our brotherhood," the Turkish Communication Directorate said in a statement on X on Friday.
"President Erdogan stated that we would continue working together to prevent the resurgence of war in the Gulf region and establish a basis for dialogue and achieve peace," it added.
Erdogan also said Türkiye and Qatar would continue working together to prevent a resurgence of war in the Gulf region, establish a basis for dialogue and achieve peace, stressing the importance of persuading the parties to resolve their problems through diplomacy.
During a meeting with the Qatari emir at the Dolmabahce Presidential Office in Istanbul, Erdogan discussed bilateral relations as well as regional and global developments.
Erdogan said the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement, which entered into force last year, had brought the two countries closer to their mutual trade volume target.
Erdogan also said Türkiye was working to develop and diversify its energy partnership with Qatar, adding that cooperation in the defence industry would continue to grow.
Other agreements
Apart from the defence agreement, Türkiye and Qatar also signed four other agreements covering trade, education and diplomacy following talks between the Turkish president and Qatari emir.
The signing ceremony was held at the Presidential Dolmabahce Office following private and delegation-level talks during the 12th meeting of the Türkiye-Qatar High Strategic Committee.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in peace, reconciliation and conflict resolution.
The two ministers also signed a joint declaration following the committee's 12th meeting.
A memorandum of understanding on consumer protection, market surveillance and inspection was signed by Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat and Qatar's Commerce and Industry Minister Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al Thani.
Turkish National Education Minister Yusuf Tekin and Qatar's Minister of State Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi signed an agreement on educational cooperation.
Earlier, Erdogan welcomed the Qatari emir with an official ceremony at the Presidential Dolmabahce Office.
The leaders introduced their respective delegations before holding private talks, which were also attended by Fidan and National Intelligence Organization (MIT) chief Ibrahim Kalin.
