November 11, 2017•Update: November 13, 2017
By Meryem Goktas
ANTALYA, Turkey
Chairman of Qatar Red Crescent Society Mohammed Al-Maadheed has praised the cooperation with the Turkish Red Crescent
In a recent interview with Anadolu Agency on the sidelines of a summit of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) General Assembly in the southern Mediterranean resort city of Antalya, Mohammed Al-Maadheed said that there was a "very strong cooperations" with the Turkish Red Crescent.
"Because of the experiences and problems we have in the region and the technical people we have, we as Red Crescents are becoming much stronger than other organizations," he said.
Al-Maadheed stated that the Qatar and Turkish Red Crescents were working together to influence the IFRC on how it should go forward in the future.
"We have a lot of problems in our regions so we have to rise above politics and work together," he said.
Al-Maadheed praised Turkey for taking in millions of refugees, saying it "is part of the culture, it is all about giving".
Turkey's support to Qatar
Al-Maadheed said the two organizations worked together in different regions like Somalia, but especially in Syria since 2011.
Al-He added said that Turkey and Qatar are cooperating in the humanitarian committee of the Islamic Cooperation Council for over 10 years.
“At the international level, we are always in a very good relationship with Turkey because we have the same vision,” he said.
Speaking about the Gulf crisis which broke out on June 5, Al-Maadheed said that as a Qatari citizen he was very appreciative for Turkey’s support to Qatar.
Turkey provided Qatar with humanitarian aid and backed the country in the Gulf crisis that was triggered in June when Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the U.A.E. and Bahrain cut diplomatic and trade ties with Qatar.
The four states accused Qatar of supporting terrorist groups -- allegations Doha denies, describing the embargo as a breach of its national sovereignty.
"Turkey came and stood with us and that is something we will never forget," he said.
"If you read the history of Qatar, since its establishment we always had a special relationship with Turkey," he added.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) general assembly statutory meetings began on Nov. 5 and concluded on Saturday.
