Director of Communications Fahrettin Altun: “Relations between Qatar and Türkiye are developing toward deeper strategic partnership on the bilateral, regional and international levels.”
Stating Qatar and Türkiye are like the two fingers on the same hand, Presidency’s Director of Communications Fahrettin Altun said, “We are brothers and sisters. We are confident that the relationship between the two countries will continue to grow.”
In an interview with Qatar News Agency, Director of Communications Altun stated that the visit of Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar to Türkiye is particularly essential in terms of improving the strong and strategic brotherly relations between the two countries.
Remarking that Al Sani’s visit to Türkiye might be seen as a step toward strengthening the influence of Qatar and Türkiye in regional politics during this critical period when the regional balances are shifting, Director of Communications Altun said that they see the visit as being critical to enhancing coordination and collaboration between Ankara and Doha.
Fahrettin Altun stated that the countries’ stances on regional and global issues matched during this visit, which is expected to improve bilateral relations.
On the question of how the visits will contribute to the improvement of bilateral relations between Türkiye and Qatar, Director of Communications Altun underlined that Türkiye’s relations with Qatar in recent years in the fields of economy, security, diplomacy, culture and tourism, and education have transformed their strategic cooperation into a true brotherhood.
Noting that the two countries have been able to overcome the difficulties that have confronted them in recent years through close cooperation, Director of Communications Altun continued:
“The decisions taken during such visits and the economic and political effects of the agreements reached serve the interests of the two countries’ welfare and stability. Türkiye places a great deal of importance on improving its strong brotherly ties and strategic relations with Qatar, which have evolved and anchored in all fields, including security, politics, military, economy, investment, development, and culture in recent years. Our relations with Qatar, where we have deep-rooted ties of friendship and brotherhood, are developing rapidly in all fields. Mutual visits bolster our relations. There is also close cooperation and coordination between the two countries on regional issues.”
Fahrettin Altun stated that since the establishment of the Türkiye-Qatar High Strategic Committee in 2014, relations have become stronger, and more than 80 cooperation agreements have been signed in various fields.
“Relations between Türkiye and Qatar are one of the most stable”
Explaining that Qatar and Türkiye also support dialogue, diplomacy and mediation efforts for security, stability and peace and the resolution of international issues, Director of Communications Altun remarked:
“The meeting between President Erdoğan and Sheikh Tamim delivers permanent solutions to major issues and crises in the Middle East in light of rising economic cooperation and political harmony. As the future is envisioned, the importance attributed to these talks becomes more evident, especially in times of high tension. Conditions in the region also enhance economic, military, and commercial collaboration and coordination between the two parties. From this perspective, relations between Türkiye and Qatar have become one of the most stable.”
Upon being asked how the political and economic cooperation between the two countries could improve relations between Qatar and Türkiye, Director of Communications Altun said that with the visit of the Emir of Qatar, the mutual political will to develop and deepen cooperation between the two nations was once again reaffirmed.
Pointing out that Türkiye-Qatar ties have reached a noticeably different ground with the latest agreements, Director of Communications Altun said, “In recent years, our bilateral ties have progressed a remarkable distance.”
“The first visit was to Qatar in 2014”
Noting that a new era in relations with Qatar started with the opening of the new Turkish Embassy building in Doha in 2013 during President Erdoğan’s tenure as prime minister, Director of Communications Altun stated that President Erdoğan made his first visit to Qatar among Arab countries in 2014 after being elected president.
Director of Communications Altun said, “The relations between the two countries, which have tended to institutionalise since 2014, have acquired a nature that now shapes regional politics. The relations between Türkiye and Qatar, characterised by shared perspectives on regional and international issues, have gained momentum during the past two decades. Qatar and Türkiye are like two fingers in a hand. We are brothers and sisters. We are confident that the relationship between the two countries will continue to grow.”
Upon the question, “What are the expectations for future collaboration between Türkiye and Qatar?” Presidency’s Director of Communications Altun said, “Relations between Qatar and Türkiye are progressing towards more strategic partnership at bilateral, regional and international level. Turkish-Qatar economic relations are in their golden era, and these relations are expanding to embrace new sectors and agreements,” and continued:
“We aim to boost the trade volume between the two countries to $5 billion. We also believe that it will be essential for Qatar and Türkiye to evaluate joint investment potential in third countries. Türkiye and Qatar have cooperation opportunities in heavy industry, tourism development, agriculture, and construction. We believe that the economic collaboration between the two countries will take on new dimensions as a result of the forthcoming cooperation opportunities. Türkiye and Qatar will always continue to work in coordination and cooperation, which will have a favourable impact on their economic relations.”
Russia-Ukraine crisis
Upon the question, “Türkiye is a significant player in the region. What are your thoughts on the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war? Do you think there's any hope of a political solution to the crisis?" Director of Communications Altun recalled that for the past two decades, Türkiye has made every diplomatic effort to resolve all conflicts and crises in the region through peaceful means.
Stating that the region has had its share of wars and conflicts for a long time and that it now needs peace, tranquillity, and prosperity more than anything else, Director of Communications Altun added:
"First and foremost, this war demonstrated how accurate and appropriate our President's remark ‘The world is bigger than 5’ is, and revealed the motivation behind his pursuit for ‘A fairer world is possible.’ Türkiye, as a centre of stability in the midst of the war, has been one of the most significant actors exerting efforts to solve the problems in the region. Since the beginning of the process of resolving the crisis and easing tensions, our President has been in close dialogue with both Mr Putin and Mr Zelensky. Our President used his close dialogue with both Mr Putin and Mr Zelensky as a means of resolving the crisis and easing tensions. Türkiye will continue to do its part as a 'stabilising power' as it has done so far."
Fahrettin Altun stressed that they regard the solution to the refugee problem caused by the war in Ukraine, and other current refugee crises as a top priority for the global system.
Director of Communications Altun expressed concern over the humanitarian tragedy and refugee problem caused by the war in Ukraine and stated that they believe a ceasefire that will stop conflicts resulting in civilian casualties should be established immediately. He further stated that Türkiye will continue its diplomatic efforts on this issue until the end.
"Exemplary collaboration will spread to other areas"
When asked about Qatar's mediation role in resolving many regional and international crises, Director of Communications Altun noted that this demonstrates that Türkiye and Qatar share a common approach toward both regional and global crises.
"With Türkiye and Qatar acting in synergy and harmony in the Middle East, the prospect of resolving the region's long-standing conflicts grows. Türkiye's military relations with Qatar should be regarded as a proactive and empowering factor in this regard," stated Director of Communications Altun, adding:
"Türkiye and Qatar maintain constant communication and coordination on a variety of issues, particularly political issues and regional developments. The two nations share similar perspectives on numerous issues, including Syria, Palestine, and Libya. Relations between Türkiye and Qatar are founded on deep-rooted ties of friendship and brotherhood. Relationships between the two nations are developing rapidly in all areas, and reciprocal visits contribute to this growth. We are confident that future agreements will further strengthen our ties, particularly in light of new initiatives and reconciliation efforts in the region. Consequently, growth, peace, and stability in the Gulf and the Middle East will undoubtedly be influenced by bilateral relations. Türkiye and Qatar are two brotherly nations that look out for one another in times of hardship and have strong relations on all levels. Türkiye and Qatar, which share deep historical and cultural ties, demonstrate an exemplary collaboration in international issues in addition to their bilateral relations. I am certain that our exemplary collaboration will spread to other areas in the coming period.”
2022 FIFA World Cup
In response to the question, "How do you see Qatar hosting the World Cup as the first tournament in the Middle East?" Director of Communications Altun said that they were closely following the 2022 FIFA World Cup organisation that would be held in Qatar.
Emphasising that they welcomed the World Cup to be held in an Islamic country for the first time and that they wished this organisation of Qatar to be successful, Director of Communications Altun stated:
"The tournament in question will also strengthen Qatar's position as the leading destination for major sporting events on the global sports map. The fact that one of the world's most important sporting events will be held in Qatar will be a turning point for the country's international standing. On the other hand, Türkiye has experience in hosting international sports events, as well. Therefore, I would like to state that we are willing to help in any way. I am confident that Qatar will host a tournament of unprecedented calibre."