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Doha: Turkish President Abdullah Gul wrapped up a three-day visit to Qatar on Thursday where he renewed Turkey's plans to enhance economic and political ties with the Gulf country.
Qatar and Turkey relations are characterised by historically friendly ties, Gul said during his visit, referring to Emir Shaikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani as a "dear friend".
The two leaders held key talks on Turkey's future gas imports from Qatar, revoking double taxation and enhancing investments, Gul told reporters during a press conference on Wednesday evening.
The Turkish President said Qatar and Turkey have "similar views" on a number of issues and their positions on international affairs were often "complementing each other".
Commenting on the development of economic ties, Gul announced that Turkey will start importing natural gas from Qatar, the world' s largest exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG), starting 2010. Gul also told Turkish media accompanying him that Qatar is considering building facilities in Turkey to sell natural gas to Europe.
Energy sector
"Qatari officials said they could send [LNG] to Turkey to be distributed to Europe. They would build gas terminals in Turkey. The main area of investment will be in the energy sector; yet, we are considering medium and long-term pipeline projects," Gul said.
During Gul's visit the two countries announced the implementation of a decision to remove double taxation on dual residents. On the occasion of the visit, business officials of the Federation of Turkish Chambers of Commerce and Commodities Exchange and the Qatar Businessmen's Association signed two agreements aimed to boost cooperation in trade and industry, and setting up the Qatari-Turkish Businessmen Council.
Gul said Qatar has extended its full support to Turkey's Expo 2015 bid, a gesture that marked the "excellent ties" between the two countries.
Gul said talks with the Emir of Qatar also touched on the turmoil in Iraq and Palestine, the situation of Lebanon and Iran's nuclear issue, but he did not go into details with regard to the content of the talks.
"We have the same views on these issues of concern," said Gul briefly.
Asked to comment on Turkey's relations with Israel, Gul said Turkey was using its positive relation with Israel to help find a solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict and would continue to do so.
Qatari officials said they could send [LNG] to Turkey to be distributed to Europe. They would build gas terminals in Turkey."
Abdullah Gul
Turkish President
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