In a significant diplomatic meeting on the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Egyptian Deputy Foreign Minister Badr Abdelaty held talks with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on September 26th.
The two ministers expressed satisfaction with the recent progress in bilateral relations, which has been strengthened by the visit of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to Turkey in September 2024 and the signing of a joint declaration for the inaugural meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s visit to Egypt in February 2024 further bolstered these ties. Both officials reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing economic and investment cooperation, with a goal to increase bilateral trade to $15 billion.
Moreover, they discussed expanding tourism and fostering cooperation across various sectors to benefit both nations and their citizens.
The discussion also addressed the worsening situation in the Middle East, particularly in light of the escalating Israeli aggression against Lebanon and the ongoing attacks on Gaza.
Both Egypt and Turkey agreed on the urgent need for an immediate, comprehensive, and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon to prevent the region from descending into a broader regional conflict.
They underscored the importance of the international community assuming its responsibility in containing this dangerous escalation.
Moreover, the two ministers exchanged views on several pressing regional issues, including the crises in Sudan, Libya, Syria, Yemen, and the Red Sea region, as well as developments in the Horn of Africa.
The meeting concluded with both sides agreeing to continue their coordination and cooperation on various regional and international issues of mutual concern.