Erdogan in Kuwait for 'cooperation' talks

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held talks with Kuwait's emir on Tuesday, state media reported, as a crisis that has split Qatar from its Gulf neighbours enters its sixth month.

Erdogan and Kuwaiti ruler Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad Al-Sabah discussed "regional and international developments," the government-run KUNA news agency said.

A group of nations led by Saudi Arabia and including Bahrain, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates cut ties with Qatar in June, accusing it of supporting extremists and fostering ties with Riyadh's archrival Iran.

Qatar, the world's largest exporter of liquified natural gas, denies the accusations.

Kuwait has led mediation efforts in the dispute, while Turkey has stepped in to support Qatar with food imports in the face of a blockade by the Arab states.

On Tuesday, Erdogan and the Kuwaiti emir also discussed "means to improve cooperation on all fronts" between the two nations and also inked a direct investment agreement, KUNA said.

The report did not give further detail on the agreements.

Turkey and Kuwait's military chiefs of staff held talks on the "developing and strengthening" military cooperation, according to KUNA.

The Turkish president, who has called for the lifting of the sanctions against Qatar, is scheduled to visit Doha on Wednesday.

source: AFP