UPDATE 2 - Turkish president in Qatar on 2nd leg of 3-nation Gulf tour

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By Diyar Guldogan

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Qatar's capital Doha on Tuesday on the second leg of his three-nation Gulf tour to strengthen regional ties.

In Doha, Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Khalid bin Mohamed al Attiyah and other officials welcomed Erdogan, who is accompanied by members of his Cabinet and other top officials.

Later, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani welcomed Erdogan with an official ceremony, followed by one-on-one talks.

Ahead of the talks, Erdogan presented Al Thani a model of Türkiye's first domestically produced car, the Togg – an electric car years in the making.

Erdogan then proceeded to the building where their one-on-one meeting was held, with the Togg driven by Al Thani.

During the talks, all aspects of the bilateral relations were reviewed, and steps to enhance cooperation in various areas, particularly the economy, were discussed.

The Turkish and Qatari foreign ministers also signed a declaration during Erdogan's visit marking a half-century since the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties.

Later in the day, Erdogan also attended a state banquet held in his honor.

Also during the trip, first lady Emine Erdogan visited the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha.

"The museum, which hosts one of the largest collections of Islamic art in the world, is one of the symbols of the city with its architecture. With a history of more than 1,400 years, valuable artifacts collected from three continents reveal the diversity of Islamic heritage," Erdogan said on Twitter.

President Erdogan started his three-nation Gulf tour on Monday with Saudi Arabia. His last stop will be the United Arab Emirates.

During his visit to the three Gulf countries, Erdogan said he wants to boost ties and finalize investment deals.

At a news conference in Istanbul before starting his tour, Erdogan said that Türkiye's relations with "strategic partner and close ally" Qatar are "excellent" at all levels, as the countries prepare to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties.