Türkiye and Qatar publish joint statement: $5 billion trade target reiterated

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs published the joint statement of the 12th Meeting of the Türkiye-Qatar High Strategic Committee held in Istanbul. According to the statement, the meeting was held under the chairmanship of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, with the participation of the ministers responsible for the areas of cooperation set out in the Joint Memorandum on the Establishment of the High Strategic Committee dated 19 December 2014.

The two sides reiterated the target of reaching a trade volume of $5 billion. The statement noted that the contribution of the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), which entered into force on 1 August 2025, to this target was assessed. It drew attention to the fact that Turkish contracting companies have undertaken 206 projects worth a total of $20.8 billion in Qatar. Agreement was reached on increasing cooperation in the fields of trade, investment, energy, logistics, education, health, technology and culture.

Defense and security was one of the main headings of the statement. It was stated that the Mutual Defense Agreement signed between Türkiye and Qatar strengthens the commitment to protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the two countries. The parties decided to expand cooperation in the fields of joint military exercises, the defense industry, personnel training and technology development. It was emphasized that the Badr Memorandum signed between Türkiye, Qatar, Pakistan and Indonesia is an important step in terms of joint defense production and technology sharing.

Türkiye and Qatar agreed on coordinating the reconstruction of Gaza and humanitarian aid efforts. The statement called for the delivery of safe and unimpeded humanitarian aid to Gaza, the expansion of shelter capacity, and urgent measures against the humanitarian crisis aggravated by winter conditions; Israel was asked to comply with the ceasefire agreement and its obligations under international law. Illegal settlement activities in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, settler violence and forced displacement practices were condemned, and it was emphasized that the historical and legal status of the Al-Aqsa Mosque must be preserved.

While support for Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity was reiterated in the statement, Israel was asked to end its violations in Syrian territory and to withdraw from the areas it occupies. Stating that the problems between the US and Iran should be resolved through diplomacy, a call was made for the re-establishment of safe and unimpeded passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The parties reiterated their determination to continue close cooperation in the fight against all terrorist organizations, including structures linked to PKK/PYD/YPG, ISIS and FETÖ.

The parties agreed to hold the second meeting of the Türkiye-Qatar Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) in Doha. A memorandum of understanding was signed to strengthen cooperation in the field of peace, reconciliation and conflict resolution. It was decided that the 13th Meeting of the High Strategic Committee would be held in Qatar by 2027, on a date to be determined through diplomatic channels.