Erdogan says defence pact will add another dimension to ties as leaders discuss regional developments
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan meets with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Istanbul, Turkey, November 13, 2026. Photo: Reuters
Turkiye and Qatar signed a mutual defence agreement on Friday, the office of President Tayyip Erdogan said, as the Turkish leader met the Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani in Istanbul.
The signing ceremony was held at the Presidential Dolmabahce Office following private and delegation-level talks during the 12th meeting of the Türkiye-Qatar High Strategic Committee.
“President Erdogan stated that we would continue working together to prevent the resurgence of war in the Gulf region and establish a basis for dialogue and achieve peace,” the presidency said in a statement on X, which did not provide details on the defence accord.
The statement cited him as saying that Turkiye and Qatar were working to develop and diversify their energy partnership, and that their cooperation in the defence industry would continue to grow.
“President Erdogan stated that the Mutual Defence Agreement signed today by Turkiye and Qatar would add another dimension to our brotherhood,” it added.
The statement gave no further details about the contents of the agreement.
The two countries would continue working together “to prevent a renewed outbreak of war in the Gulf region and to promote dialogue and peace”, he said.
تواصل الشراكة الاستراتيجية بين قطر وتركيا تطورها في مختلف المجالات وهو ما عكسه اجتماع الدورة الـ12 للجنة الاستراتيجية العليا بين بلدينا، الذي ترأسته اليوم في إسطنبول مع أخي الرئيس رجب طيب أردوغان، حيث بحثنا سبل البناء على ما تحقق وتحديد أولويات العمل المشترك خلال المرحلة المقبلة. pic.twitter.com/cPvH0sZS23
— تميم بن حمد (@TamimBinHamad) November 13, 2026
The leaders also discussed Israel’s attacks on Gaza and the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian territory, efforts towards normalisation in Syria and the latest developments in Libya, the statement added.
According to Anadolu, both countries signed five agreements covering trade, education, diplomacy and defence following talks between the Turkish president and Qatari emir.
The two leaders also signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in peace, reconciliation and conflict resolution.
Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat and Qatar’s Commerce and Industry Minister Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al Thani signed a memorandum of understanding on consumer protection, market surveillance and inspection.
Turkish National Education Minister Yusuf Tekin and Qatar’s Minister of State Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi signed an agreement on educational cooperation.
In August, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a joint defence agreement in Mecca, bringing together the Sunni Muslim US allies at a time of conflict across the region.
Turkiye’s parliament ratified the so-called Makkah Joint Defence Agreement last week, clearing the way for Ankara to send military support to Saudi Arabia, which has been struggling to fend off attacks by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militants.
Under the agreement, signed by the three regional powers in August, an attack on one party constitutes an attack on all.
