Turkey, Qatar vow to boost health cooperation

By Yesim Sert Karaaslan

ANKARA (AA) - Health Minister Ahmet Demircan met his Qatari counterpart Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari on Tuesday, which the two officials expressed determination to enhance cooperation.

In a joint news conference in Ankara, Demircan said: "We believe that developing healthier bilateral relations is only possible through enhanced cooperation in the area of health."

He said the "long-rooted friendship and brotherhood" was gaining "great" momentum through bilateral visits.

"We have expedited our efforts to increase the trade volume [...] between our country and Qatar, which was recorded nearly at $710 million in 2016," he added.

Turkey and Qatar last year signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of health and medical sciences as part of efforts to enhance relations.

The Qatari minister praised Turkey's health system and asserted relations between the two countries relied on strong and mutual values.

"The purpose of our visit is to discuss matters of health cooperation between the two countries. The health system in Turkey is quite impressive," she added.