Ever since the start of the illegal blockade of Qatar, Turkey has stood steadfastly with Qatar and assisted them in overcoming the many hurdles.

The two countries further strengthened their ties yesterday when HH The Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who was in Qatar on a state visit.

During his visit, Erdogan discussed regional developments and bilateral ties with Sheikh Tamim, a month after a meeting between the two leaders in the Turkish capital, Ankara, reported Al Jazeera.

Erdogan arrived in Doha on Tuesday to attend the third meeting of the Turkey-Qatar Supreme Strategic Committee.

The two leaders met at the Emiri Diwan in the presence of several ministers and other high-ranking officials, reported Gulf Times.

Sheikh Tamim said Qatar would not forget the position taken by the Turkish people during the siege of Qatar.

The Turkish president thanked HH The Emir for the warm hospitality accorded to him and the accompanying delegation. Erdogan said the meeting also dealt with economic and trade relations, stressing to continue the Turkish support to Qatar in various fields, especially in the industrial and military sectors.

The Emir also called for the organisation of the fourth session of the joint Supreme Strategic Committee in Turkey next year.

A number of new deals were also signed during the meeting. Some of them were related to mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, a cooperation agreement between Qatar University and the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey, an MoU for cooperation in the field of central banks of the two countries, another MoU in the field of legal and judicial training, and a memorandum of intent for cooperation in meteorology.

Memorandums were also signed between port administrations of the two countries, food safety, humanitarian assistance and cooperation between Qatar Media Corporation and the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation. 

Erdogan then left Doha yesterday evening. He was seen off at the airport by top-ranking Qatari ministers, reported The Peninsula.

HH The Emir had earlier said that the blockading countries had no desire to end the dispute.