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Qatari FM: Talks with Tillerson Focused on Countering Terrorism | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. AP


Doha–Qatari Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said that talks with his U.S. counterpart Rex Tillerson have focused on the current situation in the Middle East and the means to promote cooperation in fighting terrorism.

The Qatari foreign minister met with Tillerson in Washington on Wednesday.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper, he said that both officials reviewed latest developments in the region, including the situation in Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Libya.

“We see that we have a lot of common views, in particular regarding the necessity to find the means to fight terrorism and extremism in all its forms,” he stated.

He added that any solution to terrorism should fall into a “comprehensive framework that meets the aspirations of the people of the region and the world.”

“Qatar and the U.S. share historic, solid ties,” he said, adding: “We consider the United States as a strong partner and ally.”

“U.S.-Qatari partnership encompasses a wide array of strategic, economic and cultural interests,” he continued.

On a different note, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who concluded his two-day visit to Doha on Wednesday, stressed the importance of Qatari-Turkish relations, which he said have witnessed a rapid development in all fields, especially in recent years.

Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the Turkish president held an official round of talks at the Emiri Diwan.

Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported that the two leaders discussed bilateral relations and ways of bolstering them in all areas to serve the interests of the two countries and their people.

The two sides also exchanged views about the situation in Palestine, Syria and Yemen, and reviewed a number of regional and international issues of mutual concern.

Meanwhile, Turkish President’s Deputy Secretary-General Ibrahim Kalin underlined the importance of Erdogan’s visit to the State of Qatar in light of the current critical circumstances in the region and the world.

Speaking to QNA, Kalin noted that the visit aimed to review “the distinct bilateral relations in all political, economic, trade and tourism areas, along with other key regional issues of mutual concern.”