HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani on Sunday held via telephone a conversation with President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan. During the phone call, HH the Emir offered condolences to the Turkish President on the victims of Saturday's criminal bombing that occurred in the Besiktas district of Istanbul, praying to Allah the Almighty to bestow blessing upon the deceased and wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

The State of Qatar has strongly expressed condemnation and denunciation of the terrorist bombings in the Besiktas district of Istanbul resulting in tens of deaths and injuries. The Foreign Ministry, in a statement on Sunday, said that these criminal acts that aim at destabilizing the security and stability and terrorizing and killing innocent people, are contrary to all values, ethics and humanitarian principles and heavenly laws The Ministry stressed that the State of Qatar stands in solidarity with the Republic of Turkey and its people and supports all measures it takes to maintain its security and stability.

The State of Qatar participated today in the 2nd Ministerial Session of the COMCEC in Istanbul, with a delegation chaired by HE Minister of Economy and Commerce Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al-Thani. The meeting of the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (Comcec) was chaired by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. A statement released from the ministry of Economy and Commerce said that the meeting discussed reports on the implementation of Comcec as well as the latest economic developments globally and its impact on member states. They also discussed ways to increase trade volume between the OIC members.

The Turkish-Qatari Joint Commission on Economic and Technical Cooperation held today its sixth session, chaired by HE Qatar's Minister of Economy and Commerce Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani, and Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Simsek , on the sidelines the 20th International Business Forum and Musiad International Fair, currently being held in Istanbul. A press release issued by the Ministry of Economy and Commerce today said that the Commission's meetings reviewed relations between the two friendly countries and ways of enhancing them as well as aspects of joint cooperation between the two countries, particularly with regard to economic and technical areas.

Qatar participated in the opening of the 16th Musiad International Fair, which is organized in parallel with the 20th international business forum and 3rd High Tech Port from November 9 to 12 in Istanbul, Turkey. HE Minister of Economy and Commerce Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al-Thani presided over Qatar's delegation in the event. The State of Qatar's participation in this exhibition is part of its efforts to strengthen cooperation with the Republic of Turkey.

President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan met Monday with HE Qatar's Minister of State for Defense Affairs Dr. Khalid bin Mohammed Al Attiyah, who is visiting Turkey. At the beginning of the meeting, HE the Minister of State for Defense Affairs conveyed the greetings of HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to the Turkish President and people, wishing them further progress and development. For his part, the Turkish President asked the Qatari Minister to convey greetings to HH the Emir and the people of Qatar.

The State of Qatar is participating in the 23rd World Energy Congress, being held in Istanbul at October 9-13, 2016 . HE the Minister of Energy and Industry Dr. Mohammed Saleh Al Sada heads Qatar's delegation to the congress, which is organized by the World Energy Council. In a statement issued today, the Ministry of Energy and Industry said that HE Dr. Al Sada will take part in a number of consultation meetings with Energy Ministers in OPEC member states and other countries, on the sideline of the congress.

HE the Minister of Transport and Communication Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti met Tuesday with Turkish Minister of Transport, Maritime Affairs, and Communications Ahmet Arslan. HE the Minister is visiting Turkey to partake in the Ministerial Conference of the 26th Universal Postal Union Congress in Istanbul.

HE Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Saif Al Sulaiti participated Tuesday in the 26th Universal Postal Union (UPU) Congress, with ministers from 50 member countries taking part. The meeting, which took place in Istanbul, discussed the state of the global postal sector and focused in particular on discussing the World Postal Strategy 2017-2020. The strategy has three main goals, the first is to improve the interoperability of network infrastructure. The second is to ensure sustainable and modern products. The third goal is to foster effective market sector functioning.

A Qatari day was celebrated in the Expo 2016 Antalya as part of Qatar's participation in the event, which started on April 23 and lasts until October 30. HE Minister of Municipality and Environment Mohamed bin Abdullah Al Rumaihi attended the ceremony along with HE Qatar's Ambassador to Turkey Salem bin Mubarak Al-Shafi, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and Antalya Governor Munir Karaloglu.