Dear Citizens,

I began my tenure as the Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Doha upon presenting my letter of credentials to His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, on 12 August 2020.

Since the very beginning of my duties, which I have been carrying out with great honour together with my colleagues, we have focused on advancing our bilateral relations in all fields, particularly in the political sphere while structuring our work around five target audiences:
I) The Turkish community living in Qatar,
II) Our Qatari counterparts,
III) Qatari friends and friends residing in Qatar,
IV) Members of the diplomatic corps, and
V) Local press and media representatives.

In the political dimension of bilateral relations, we have concentrated on efforts to place the historically rooted Türkiye-Qatar relationship, strengthened by solidarity demonstrated in difficult times, on an institutional foundation. In this context, the 125 agreements signed on the margins of the Supreme Strategic Committee (SSC), which convenes annually at the leadership level, are regarded not merely as numerical figures but as a solid legal foundation upon which strong cooperation can be built. The sincere will, constructive approach, and close cooperation demonstrated by all our Qatari counterparts, especially the officials of the State of Qatar, based on mutual trust, respect, and a shared vision, have significantly contributed to the deepening of our bilateral relations at the institutional level and to the further strengthening of the bonds of brotherhood between our two nations.

This understanding and support continue to be a major source of motivation for us as we jointly build our shared future.

In order to ensure that the progress achieved in the political sphere of our bilateral relations is also reflected in the social and cultural fields, through the initiatives of our Embassy and within the framework of agreements signed in 2021 between the Türkiye Maarif Foundation (TMF) and Qatar University as well as Lusail University, we enabled 30 students from Türkiye to pursue fully funded undergraduate studies at Qatar University and 20 students at Lusail University. In addition, 10 Turkish students were granted the opportunity to benefit from the most prestigious scholarship of Doha University for Science and Technology, the “Amiri Scholarship.” Information on other educational opportunities and scholarship programs available in Qatar can be followed through our Embassy’s social media accounts.

On the other hand, our citizens and companies who played a role in the preparations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, as well as our security forces who served during the tournament, served as clear manifestations of the close cooperation between our two countries. We take great pride in having contributed to successful hosting of the World Cup by our friendly and brotherly Qatar. Likewise, following the devastating earthquakes of 6 February 2023, Qatar’s mobilization of all its resources in solidarity with our country was a manifestation of a rare and exceptional friendship.

Like Türkiye, the State of Qatar, in line with its active foreign policy, has not remained silent in the face of humanitarian tragedies occurring in many parts of the world, particularly in Gaza, and has undertaken numerous mediation and facilitation efforts. With our shared approach centred on humanitarian diplomacy, the strong spirit of cooperation and solidarity between Türkiye and Qatar, aimed at bringing global attention to the events in Gaza, delivering humanitarian aid to the region, achieving a permanent ceasefire between Israel and Palestine, and ensuring regional stability, will continue to be sustained.

Within the scope of our efforts aimed at our citizens residing in Qatar, we have first and foremost enhanced and renovated the physical infrastructure of our Embassy compound in order to ensure that our country is represented in Qatar in a manner befitting its standing. As embassies constitute the outward face of the state, particular importance has been attached to the Consular Section. With the renovation of the Consular Section of our Embassy, we have begun to provide consular services to our citizens in a faster, more efficient, and more comfortable manner. In order to minimize potential time loss during visits by our citizens and guests to the consular section, we have implemented a Front Office system. Furthermore, to enable quick and easy access to up-to-date information regarding consular services, we have introduced a “QR Code” application available in Turkish, Arabic, and English. We aim to further enhance our consular services in the most effective and efficient manner, in line with your valuable feedback and suggestions.

On the other hand, the contributions made by our citizens living in Qatar to the commercial, economic, cultural, and social dimensions of Türkiye–Qatar relations are highly commendable. Both our citizens employed in the service sector and our companies undertaking major and prestigious projects in Qatar play a significant role in the continuous development of bilateral trade and economic relations. In a country with which we share deep-rooted and strong relations, as well as close bonds of friendship and brotherhood, it remains a distinct source of responsibility and satisfaction for me to work tirelessly, together with my colleagues, to provide the best possible service to our valued citizens and to stand firmly by the side of our citizens and companies through strong and unwavering support.

In order to make the lives of our citizens in Doha safer, more peaceful, and more comfortable, the doors of our Embassy will always remain open to you. With a view to fostering closer engagement with our citizens, we regularly host you at our Embassy through our “Open Door Day” and “Citizen Meetings” programs, which we have successfully carried out to date, and which have attracted considerable interest. Through these programs, we provide information on the functioning of our Embassy while also listening directly to your concerns, views, and suggestions. I would also like to extend my sincere thanks for the interest you have shown in these programs, from which we derive great satisfaction through your feedback.

In order to contribute to the educational, professional, and social lives of our citizens residing in Qatar, we have carried out numerous activities in close coordination with the institutions and organizations affiliated with our Embassy. The enthusiasm and engagement of our citizens, together with the support provided by our business community, continue to motivate us to do even more. In addition to the events organized on the occasion of our national and religious holidays and commemorative days, our activities bringing together our citizens under the roof of our Embassy with high-level delegations visiting Qatar on official occasions, as well as the thematic iftar programs organized during the month of Ramadan with the sponsorship of Turkish and Qatari companies, have attracted great interest.

In this regard, the celebrations held in 2023 to mark the 100th anniversary of the proclamation of our Republic occupy a particularly distinguished place among the events we organized. Receptions held on two separate days brought together approximately 3,000 participants, including our citizens, Qatari state officials, members of the diplomatic corps, and our Qatari friends and friends residing in Qatar, who celebrated that day with great enthusiasm. The fact that 2023 also marked the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our country and Qatar added special significance to the events organized throughout the year. In this context, the “Diplomatic Texts Exhibition,” prepared through the initiatives of our Embassy with the contributions of our Ministry and the Directorate of State Archives, and showcasing documents reflecting the historical and deep-rooted relations between our two countries, attracted great interest.

Through the Doha Yunus Emre Turkish Cultural Center, we endeavour to preserve and promote Turkish culture and language by hosting a wide range of cultural programs and educational activities. We attach particular importance to transforming the Center into a focal point for the Turkish community, ensuring that our citizens benefit from its services in the most effective manner, increasing the visibility of its activities, and enhancing its overall functionality.

As the Embassy, our efforts are aimed not only at strengthening the sense of unity, solidarity, and cohesion among our community, but also at further deepening our existing ties with our Qatari friends and friends residing in Qatar. To this end, with your participation and valuable contributions, we will continue to organize a diverse range of events in the period ahead.

The Doha Event Platform, which has enabled the smooth and efficient organization of all these programs under the auspices of our Embassy, has significantly facilitated our communication with our citizens in Qatar as well as with our friends residing here, thereby making our Embassy more accessible.

In response to the strong interest shown, we have further developed this platform, ensuring the successful coordination of numerous large-scale events. Thanks to the Doha Event Platform, we were able to host thousands of guests at our events this year without the need for even a single phone call. On this occasion, I would like to once again extend my sincere gratitude to all those who contributed to the establishment and development of the platform and to improving the quality of services provided to our citizens.

Dear Citizens,

With a view to further strengthening our ties with another important target audience -our Qatari friends and friends residing in Qatar- we make a concerted effort to participate in traditional majlis gatherings, condolence visits, and wedding ceremonies, which constitute an essential element of Gulf Region’s culture.

In this regard, I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to our Qatari brothers and sisters and to our friends residing in Qatar who, since my very first day in Qatar, have shown me and our Embassy boundless hospitality and generosity, welcoming us into their traditional gatherings at every opportunity and making us feel truly at home in Doha.

At the same time, under the auspices of our Embassy, we conduct a variety of public diplomacy activities aimed at promoting our country, values, and culture, and at keeping our relations vibrant and warm. These activities (organized under different themes such as Breakfast with Ambassadors, Breakfast with Senior Diplomats, Turkish Cuisine Week, and Turkish Coffee Day) bring together members of the diplomatic corps, Qatari officials, friends residing in Qatar, and representatives of Qatar’s leading local media outlets, while offering the rich flavors of Turkish cuisine.

In order to maintain dynamic engagement with another key audience, namely local media representatives, we have hosted them on various occasions both in Türkiye and under the roof of our Embassy. Furthermore, on significant official occasions such as 29 October Republic Day, 15 July Democracy and National Unity Day, and 18 December Qatar National Day, we have ensured that our articles, interviews, video messages, and news coverage of Embassy events are featured in the media, thereby maintaining the continuous visibility of our country within the Qatari public sphere.

We attach great importance to the active use of our social media accounts in order to share the work carried out by our Embassy with the public, encourage engagement between our citizens and the Embassy, facilitate communication, and maintain an archival record of all our activities as a contribution to history.

Qatar’s active foreign policy in recent years has elevated Doha into one of the world’s prominent political capitals. In this context, with over 120 embassies and more than 10 United Nations offices based in Doha, another key focus of our Embassy’s work is our engagement with members of the diplomatic corps. By participating in national day receptions, diplomatic meetings, programs, and social and cultural events, we strive to further strengthen our relations with foreign counterparts and, through these efforts, to sustain and enhance the visibility of our country.

Dear Citizens,

I would like to once again emphasize that the doors of your home in the friendly and brotherly State of Qatar -our Embassy- are always open to you, and to assure you that we continue to exert our utmost efforts at all times to provide you with the best possible service.

I would also like to kindly remind you that you may contact us via the Embassy’s email address, [email protected], or the Consular Section’s email address, [email protected]. In urgent cases and outside working hours, you may always reach our Embassy through our emergency hotline at (+974 3309 7769).

I extend my sincere gratitude to all companies and friends for their support and valuable contributions to the renovation of our Embassy and to the events we have organized in Qatar. I would also like to thank the Qatari authorities for their invaluable support for the Qatar Turkish School project, which we have been working on for a long time to meet the educational needs of our children in Qatar, as well as all companies that have contributed or will contribute to this project. I sincerely hope that the project will be completed as soon as possible and will be beneficial to all our citizens.

Furthermore, I wish to once again convey my heartfelt thanks to the Qatari authorities and their staff for their cooperation and support in the activities we have carried out and during visits from Türkiye.

I would also like to express my deepest appreciation to my colleagues, who, with great dedication, patience, resilience, and determination, work day and night alongside me in the honourable duty I perform in Qatar, and who consistently demonstrate every effort required to represent our glorious flag with dignity and honour.

On this occasion, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks, first and foremost, to my esteemed wife, Kübra Göksu, and to my children, for their understanding, patience, and invaluable support throughout my tenure in Doha.

I once again convey my warmest regards to you all and wish you days filled with health, happiness, and peace.

Yours sincerely,

Dr. M. Mustafa Göksu
Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Doha