Qatar emir to meet Turkey's Erdogan for economic talks

Qatar's Emir is set to meet close ally Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday in Istanbul for talks on economic agreements and regional issues.

Official media in both countries reported that Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani will attend a meeting of the Turkey-Qatar High Strategic Committee.

Qatar News Agency said that Sheikh Tamim is expected to "sign of a number of cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding".

The two leaders will also hold talks on "strengthening and developing their strategic partnership".

In August, Qatar's emir pledged to invest $15 billion in Turkey to invigorate Ankara's ailing economy.

The Turkish lira fell dramatically over the summer against a backdrop as tensions between Ankara and Washington.

Turkey has also been a key backer of Qatar since the gas-rich emirate was blockaded by a Saudi-led coalition of Arab countries in June last year.

Erdogan strongly denounced the sanctions against Doha at the time and sent cargo ships laden with food when Saudi Arabia closed Qatar's only land borders and other Gulf states ended flights and shipping routes to the country.

Turkey maintains a military base in Qatar with reinforcements sent to the Gulf state, as rumours circulated on a planned invasion by Saudi Arabia.

Doha has $20 billion worth of investments in Turkey and Ankara is now one of the top exporters to the emirate.

The countries also share common political visions for the region.