HE Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari met today with Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism Omer Celik and his accompanying delegation.
The meeting focused on the special arrangements taken to hold the activities of Qatar Turkey 2015 Year of Culture as well as discussed the proposed schedule for the upcoming events in the two countries.
It also discussed ways to strengthen cultural ties between the two sides to live up to the level of the distinctive political relations between the two countries.
After the meeting, HE Dr Al Kuwari described the Qatari-Turkish relations as strong and excellent in all fields, saying that they enjoy the support and political will of HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. "We, as ministers of culture, are working to implement this political will to make the cultural ties keep up with political relations," he said.
The year of culture's decision between Qatar and Turkey was taken too late, but both sides have a strong and shared will to ensure its success, HE the Minister of Culture said, pointing out that the details of the program and events will be announced later.
"Today we held a long meeting attended by both parties from Qatar and Turkey, and we discussed different aspects of the year of culture," Dr Al Kuwari said, adding that the Turkish Minister of Culture proposed that the Turkish delegation meet with the Qatari side tomorrow to study all details and finalize the full-year cultural programs.
HE Al Kuwari pointed out that the year of culture's programs and events will include other fields beyond the cultural aspects and its events will include fine arts, theater, folklore, among others.
On behalf of the Turkish delegation, the Turkish Culture Minister expressed his thanks to HE the Minister of Culture for the hospitality and warm reception accorded to them, stressing that his country places Qatar in a special position, adding that Qatar was a third leg of foreign visits by the Turkish Prime Minister and Turkish President.
"We will work together with HE the Qatari culture minister to enhance the level of cooperation between the two countries," he said, adding that the cooperation will surpass the cultural fields to include political and economic relations between the two countries.
He also pointed to joint cultural cooperation at the regional and international levels, adding that Turkey will support Qatari activities to introduce Turkish people to difference aspects of the Qatari culture.
He said that the two sides would work together through the Qatar Turkey 2015 Year of Culture to correct misconceptions about Islam.
The culture minister also conveyed the greetings of Turkish President of and Prime Minister to the leadership and people of the State of Qatar, praising Qatar's achievements witnessed in various fields.