Qatar, Turkiye sign joint defense agreement in Istanbul
The deal aims to strengthen military cooperation, and the two leaders also witnessed several agreements covering education, consumer protection and conflict resolution.
Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed the agreement at Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul on Friday, Qatar's state news agency QNA reported.
The pact is aimed at strengthening military cooperation between Qatar and Turkiye, the report said.
The two leaders also witnessed the exchange of several other agreements and memoranda of understanding during the ceremony.
These covered consumer protection, market monitoring, education, and cooperation in peacebuilding, reconciliation and conflict resolution.
The leaders also witnessed the exchange of the joint statement from the 12th meeting of the Qatar-Turkiye Supreme Strategic Committee.
On the Qatari side, the signing was attended by Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani.
Amiri Diwan Chief Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Khulaifi, Finance Minister Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari and Commerce and Industry Minister Sheikh Faisal bin Thani Al-Thani also attended, along with members of the Amir's official delegation.
On the Turkish side, the ceremony was attended by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek and National Defense Minister Yasar Guler.
Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacir and Trade Minister Omer Bolat were also present, along with a number of other Turkish ministers and senior officials.
The Supreme Strategic Committee is a bilateral body that brings together officials from both countries to review cooperation across several sectors.
Qatar and Turkiye have expanded their ties in recent years, with cooperation spanning defense, trade, investment and education.
