Doha, 17 July 2023 (QT)

By Ashraf Siddiqui

TURKISH President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will arrive in Doha on Tuesday on a short official visit as part of his Gulf tour, said Ambassador of Turkiye to Qatar,  HE Dr Mustafa Goksu.

Addressing a press conference to commemorate the 7th anniversary of the failed coup attempt in Turkiye, the envoy said the Turkish president will also be visiting Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates during the GCC tour.

He said the primary objective of President Erdogan’s visit is to express his gratitude to the leaders of these countries, particularly the Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, for their historic assistance during the earthquake in February 2023.

He added that Turkiye looks forward to further strengthening its ties with the region, exploring avenues of collaboration and working together towards a more prosperous and secure future for the nations.

Ambassador Dr Goksu said discussions during the president’s visit are expected to cover various topics, including preparations for the 9th edition of the Supreme Strategic Committee, investment opportunities, economic preparations and regional issues. He added that the visit will also be an opportunity to further strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries and explore possible avenues for collaboration and mutual benefit.

Talking about the commemoration of the failed coup attempt on July 15, 2016, the Turkish ambassador said that on this day, Turkish people pay their homage to 251 citizens who sacrificed their lives and over 2,000 injured to safeguard the democratic process in the country towards its smooth journey to development, peace and security. The vigilant response of the Turkish people prevented the coup plotters from succeeding in their heinous plan, he added.

He said the failed coup attempt significantly influenced Türkiye’s foreign and security policies as it introduced a new threat dimension named FETÖ alongside other terrorist organisations, diversifying Türkiye’s security agenda. “We have consistently fought against FETÖ within the boundaries of the rule of law and fundamental rights and freedoms. We have also been actively seeking cooperation from our allies and partners, urging them to take necessary actions against FETÖ-affiliated individuals and entities,” he said.

“In addition, in recent years, Türkiye has successfully overcome other numerous challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the devastating earthquake that struck 11 cities in the southern region, resulting in the loss of approximately 60,000 lives and over 100,000 buildings collapsed or suffered severe damage,” Dr Goksu added.

The Turkish envoy expressed gratitude to Qatar for extending generous assistance to alleviate the suffering of the earthquake victims, particularly through the provision of 10,000 mobile homes.

He said Turkiye recently held successful presidential and parliamentary elections ensuring a fair, secure, transparent and peaceful election environment, adding that these elections showcased the maturity of the country’s democracy and the unwavering acknowledgement of the power of the national will in Türkiye.

He said, “We will proudly celebrate the centenary of the founding of the Republic of Türkiye and the 500th anniversary of the establishment of the Turkish Foreign Ministry. 2023 also marks the 50th anniversary of Turkish-Qatari relations, prompting us to organise various events to commemorate these milestones. The achievement of the tangible goals set under President Erdoğan’s leadership will not only enhance peace and prosperity within the country but also contribute to the region and beyond.”

A large photography display on the occasion highlighted the struggle and bravery of the empty-handed Turkish people against the armed members of the forces influenced by the damaging propaganda of the FETO terrorist group.