Regarding bilateral cooperation, HE Vice President of the Republic of Turkiye Cevdet Yilmaz, in his exclusive interview with QNA, described the mutual trust between the two countries as the strongest in the field of investment, noting that economic, financial and trade cooperation will remain one of the main pillars of the two countries’ strategic partnership. Food industry also stands out as one of the areas in which there are possibilities for developing both countries’ trade, he said, while noting cooperation in the defense industry and high tech fields.
Since the signing of the joint declaration on the establishment of the Supreme Strategic Committee between the two countries on December 19, 2014, 95 agreements and documents covering many areas of cooperation have been signed in 8 meetings held under the co-chairmanship of HE President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, said the Vice President of the Republic of Turkiye.
He stressed the diversity and deepening of cooperation between Ankara and Doha in all fields, in addition to exchanging views on regional and global issues, noting that these meetings reflect the strategic level reached in bilateral relations and solidarity between the two countries on regional issues, something they are proud of in front of the whole world.
On the level reached in the strategic partnership between Turkiye and Qatar, the Turkish Vice President said that they are now in a position to work on decisive steps that will further advance the two countries in every field, and that they fully believe that the relevant meeting will achieve beneficial results for both countries and the region. The agreements have reached a certain level and the implementation phase will come to the fore now, he noted.
The Turkish Vice President stressed that the partnership between Turkiye and Qatar passed the most difficult challenges in a stronger way. Turning it into a unity of destiny that goes beyond being two countries complementing each other, this partnership has become one of the main pillars of stability, security and cooperation in the region, he said.
In this context, he referred to the possibility of cooperation in many fields such as high tech, defense industry, health and energy on the basis of common interests. In addition to their excellent bilateral cooperation, the two countries are pleased to see their overlapping approaches to regional and global issues and they are maintaining their strong solidarity in facing common challenges, he added.
Turkiye, he said, maintains its position that gives priority to diplomacy and dialogue with all parties, similar to that of the State of Qatar, especially in these days when dialogue and calls for peace are needed more than others, stressing that Ankara attaches importance to consultations and cooperation on issues such as Syria, Palestine, Afghanistan and Islamophobia.
“Dialogue and cooperation between Ankara and Doha on regional issues are of great importance to the stability and security of our entire region,” he added.
Regarding the plans of the new Turkish government to advance the Turkish economy in the coming years, the Turkish Vice President explained that there are 3 basic components of the Turkish economic program: re-imposing budget system, ensuring price stability in monetary policy and controlling inflation, and implementing structural reforms in order to achieve permanent gains for Turkiye. This is within the medium-term plan which will be announced next September, he added.
He stressed Turkiye’s desire to revive and develop its relations with all GCC countries in every field and to establish strong relations with the Gulf states, stressing that Ankara attaches importance to the high-level strategic dialogue mechanism between the GCC and Turkiye at the level of foreign ministers.
He stressed his country continued support to the Palestinian cause, to preserve the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque and Jerusalem, and to the Palestinian people on every platform, adding Turkiye attaches great importance to working with the international community, especially the member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, in order to preserve the perspective of the two-state solution.
On the Syrian issue, the Vice President of the Turkish Republic stressed the importance of continuing to unify efforts to resolve the Syrian crisis, noting Ankara’s efforts in combating terrorism, return to the political process and continuous provision of humanitarian aid.
HE Vice President of the Republic of Turkiye Cevdet Yilmaz said Turkiye is a candidate country for membership in the European Union and an important partner for the Union. The membership in the European Union is a strategic goal as change and transformation in the region showed the importance of cooperation between Turkiye and the European Union in solving many problems such as economy, energy, security, defense and irregular migration.
He continued by saying that they sincerely believe that the time has come to revive Turkish-European relations in all dimensions. They are crucial to maintain a strong perspective on membership and to conduct fair and results-oriented accession negotiations for all candidate countries, he noted.
He added that during the coming period, the leaders of the European Union and member states must show the necessary political determination and will to advance their relations through the process of partnership and membership, stressing that Turkiye is aware of its responsibility and is ready to take new steps to contribute to this common future.
He said that the year 2023 marks the centenary of the founding of the Republic of Turkiye, and the fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with the State of Qatar. He continued: While marking a milestone in our bilateral relations, we attach importance to strengthening strategic cooperation in all fields.
HE Vice President of the Republic of Turkiye Cevdet Yilmaz concluded his interview with QNA by stressing that Turkiye and Qatar will move forward towards new horizons.
Source: Qatar News Agency