Qatar and Turkey Strengthen Ties with Eight New Agreements

Qatar and Turkey have taken another significant step in deepening their bilateral ties by signing eight agreements on Wednesday, covering key areas including humanitarian aid, energy, and defence. The agreements were formalised during the tenth session of the Turkey-Qatar High Strategic Committee, held in Ankara.

Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for high-level discussions ahead of the signing ceremony, which was attended by officials from both nations. The agreements, described as non-binding, aim to bolster cooperation in sectors vital to the two countries' shared strategic goals.

The visit coincided with Qatar's announcement that it had urged Hamas and Israel to demonstrate seriousness in ongoing ceasefire and hostage negotiation efforts, according to Reuters. Doha’s pivotal role as a mediator highlights its influence in regional diplomacy amidst the ongoing Gaza conflict.

Turkey, meanwhile, has maintained a strong position criticising Israel’s military operations, while distinguishing itself from Western allies by not designating Hamas as a terrorist organisation.

Longstanding Diplomatic and Economic Ties

Qatar and Turkey have enjoyed diplomatic relations since the early 1970s, with their partnership strengthening significantly in the last decade. A 2014 defence agreement marked a milestone, enabling the establishment of Turkey’s first military base in the GCC, located in Qatar.

Bilateral trade between the two nations reached $1.34 billion in 2023, according to Turkey’s official statistics authority. Qatar is also one of Turkey's largest foreign investors, funding major projects in energy, infrastructure, and transport.

Qatar’s official news agency noted that approximately 200 Qatari companies are active in Turkey, while over 771 Turkish firms operate in Qatar, including 15 within Qatar’s Free Zones. This robust economic relationship underpins their growing partnership.