Istanbul: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday met Foreign Minister H E Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Istanbul.
Erdogan entrusted him to convey his greetings to Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and his wishes of more development and prosperity for the Qatari people.
The Foreign Minister conveyed the Emir’s greetings and wishes of further progress and development for the Turkish people. The meeting discussed relations between both countries and ways of enhancing them and latest regional developments, especially in Syria, and means taken to end the escalating crisis. Turkish Foreign Minister Mouloud Jawish Ihsanoglu was present.
In a statement following the meeting, Sheikh Mohamed reiterated the importance of a political solution to the Syrian crisis through implementation of Geneva decisions, stressing the need to intensify efforts to find a solution.
He pointed to the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Syria as a result of starvation and siege policy pursued by the regime and called for a speedy implementation of the decisions related to the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Syrian people as soon as possible.
The Foreign Minister also took part in a ministerial conference on Somalia. He praised efforts of Somalian President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud and Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke towards countering-terrorism and in forming a parliament with women representing 30 percent of total members.
He also praised the progress made by Somalia in democratic transition despite grave challenges facing the country.
He stressed Qatar’s support to the political process in Somalia and condemned terrorists attacks that aim to destabilise the country.
He said it is important that the international community is committed to supporting Somalia and said Qatar will continue supporting the people of Somalia and building a stable democratic country.
He also praised UN Assistance head in Somalia Michael Keating for their role in stabilising the country.
On the sidelines, the Foreign Minister met Somali Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke in the presence of Minister of Foreign Affairs and Investment Promotion Abdusalam Hadliye Omer and Minister of National Security Abdirizak Omar Mohamed.
They reviewed relations between the two countries, means of boosting and developing them and matters of mutual interest. The Foreign Minister stressed Qatar’s support for Somalia on all fronts, particularly in health, energy and investment promotion.
