Egyptian and Turkish foreign ministers announced in Ankara on Tuesday that a ministerial-level meeting will take place in Cairo later this year to prepare for a Strategic Cooperation Council meeting between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi.
“There will be a ministerial-level meeting in Cairo this year to prepare for the upcoming Strategic Cooperation Council meeting, chaired by the presidents,” said Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty at a press conference with his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan.
Abdelatty called for swift action on “early recovery projects” in Gaza, focusing on clean water and medical care to“ensure that Gaza remains liveable.” He highlighted the importance of Turkish support for future Gaza reconstruction efforts and announced Egypt’s intention to host an international conference on the issue.
“We emphasized the importance of Turkish support for all efforts that will be made in the coming period regarding the reconstruction of Gaza,” Abdelatty said.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan received Abdelatty in Ankara on Tuesday, according to the Turkish presidency.The closed-door meeting at the presidential complex also included Fidan. No further details were released.
The foreign ministers’ discussions, marking the centenary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, reaffirmed the positive trajectory of bilateral relations following the high-level strategic cooperation meeting in September 2024. This positive trend is evidenced by a substantial increase in bilateral trade, which reached $8.8bn in 2024.
Both ministers committed to improving the investment environment for private sector businesses in both countries. They aim to increase bilateral trade to $15bn by strengthening economic and trade relations and boosting cooperation in the industrial sector.
Regarding the Gaza conflict, the ministers welcomed the ceasefire agreement and the exchange of prisoners and hostages. They commended the efforts of Egypt, Qatar, and the United States and supported the agreement’s full implementation. They stressed the need for increased international humanitarian aid and a commitment to rebuilding Gaza without displacing Palestinians. They urged international donor participation in the upcoming Egyptian-hosted reconstruction conference.
Both ministers affirmed the importance of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in supporting Palestinian refugees. They called on Israel to reverse decisions undermining UNRWA’s role.
The ministers reiterated their support for the Palestinian people and their right to their land and homeland. They rejected any infringement on Palestinian rights, including settlement activities, land annexation, displacement, and relocation efforts, which they said threaten stability and undermine peace prospects.
They reaffirmed their commitment to a just and lasting peace between Palestine and Israel based on international law, UN resolutions, and the two-state solution, with a Palestinian state established on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
On Syria, the ministers affirmed their commitment to the country’s unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, ensuring it does not pose a threat to any other country. They stressed the importance of a comprehensive political process for the Syrian people and supported the voluntary and dignified return of Syrian refugees. They also underscored the importance of combating terrorism and maintaining positive regional relations.
Regarding Somalia, the ministers reiterated their commitment to its sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity and pledged support for the federal government in achieving security and stability.
The ministers expressed concern over the ongoing Sudanese conflict and its humanitarian consequences. They commended the Sudanese Transitional Sovereignty Council’s decision to establish humanitarian corridors.
On Libya, they stressed their commitment to a Libyan-led political process under UN auspices to preserve Libya’s Political unity, security, stability, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
Finally, the ministers reaffirmed their commitment to international counter-terrorism efforts, including addressing root causes and combating the cross-border movement of terrorist elements. They called for “zero tolerance” for terrorism and those who support it.
