Two countries pledge unified efforts to address Middle East challenges, says Egyptian foreign minister
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty announced on Saturday a consensus with Türkiye on ways to tackle the ongoing crises affecting the region, following a meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in El Alamein, Egypt.
In a joint press conference, Abdelatty described the current phase of Egypt-Türkiye relations as a “significant moment of strategic alignment.”
The Egyptian minister expressed hopes to “increase Turkish direct investments and intensify collaboration in production, manufacturing, energy, transport, and tourism sectors, aiming to raise bilateral trade volume to $15 billion.”
He emphasized the “shared condemnation of Israel’s decision to occupy Gaza,” noting that Cairo and Ankara condemned these acts as “flagrant violations of international law and humanitarian norms, undermining the Palestinian right to self-determination and an independent state.”
Abdelatty warned that “Israel’s systematic starvation and genocide policy fuels conflict, hatred, and extremism in the region,” reaffirming that “neither Israel nor the region will achieve security or stability without realizing a Palestinian state.”
Both sides stressed the necessity of Israel lifting all restrictions on all crossings into Gaza.
The ministers confirmed their “commitment to unite efforts and employ all available means to confront the Israeli occupation plan and its repercussions,” the official said.
Other priority regional topics included Libya, where Abdelatty stressed the “urgent need to hold presidential and parliamentary elections simultaneously, dismantle militias, and ensure the withdrawal of all foreign forces and mercenaries,” calling this “the sole guarantee for security and stability in Libya.”
The ministers also discussed Sudan, emphasizing “the importance of reaching a ceasefire and ensuring aid delivery.”
Regarding Syria, Abdelatty reiterated Egypt’s “rejection of any moves jeopardizing the security, safety, and stability of the Syrian people.”
He called for international unity to “prevent Syria from becoming a source of regional instability,” condemned Israeli violations and occupation of Syrian territory, and strongly rejected Israel’s breach of the 1974 Syria-Israel Disengagement Agreement as a flagrant violation of international law.
The talks also touched on developments in the Horn of Africa, where Abdelatty stressed the importance of “respecting Somalia’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity,” condemning “any interference in its internal affairs to safeguard its security and stability.”
Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tammam Khalaf said the two ministers expressed mutual commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation across various fields, especially as this year marks the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Egypt and Türkiye.
