Critical meeting between Erdogan and el-Sissi yields key bilateral agreements

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah el-Sissi held a press conference following their meeting in Türkiye, aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.

During the meeting, Türkiye and Egypt signed multiple agreements, aiming to boost bilateral trade to $15 billion. The agreements cover defense, energy, tourism, health, education, and culture, with a total of 17 issues addressed.

On Wednesday, President Erdogan welcomed el-Sissi to Ankara for an official visit.

‘We have common history’

At the press conference, President Erdogan emphasized the historical ties between Türkiye and Egypt, stating, “We share a common history with Egypt. My visit to Cairo marked a turning point in our relations. Trade and the economy are the most crucial aspects of our cooperation.”

Erdogan also expressed anticipation for increased Egyptian investment in Türkiye, noting, “The brotherly Egyptian people have shown great interest in Türkiye and Turkish ventures. I believe this positive momentum will also enhance our tourism sector.”

Cooperation for Gaza

Their discussions included the Gaza issue, noting, “We agreed to consult on regional matters, particularly Gaza. This was the main focus due to recent developments in Palestine. Türkiye and Egypt share a common vision for Palestine. Türkiye has provided 32% of the aid delivered to Gaza. I want to thank the Egyptian authorities for their ongoing communication with Türkiye.”

Egyptian President el-Sissi emphasized, “We have decided to work together with Türkiye to prevent humanitarian crises, with a special focus on addressing regional issues collaboratively.”

President Erdogan condemned Israel’s actions, stating, “Israel is compounding its crimes by obstructing aid to Gaza. Israel and its supporters are accountable for every innocent victim suffering from hunger, thirst, or lack of medicine.”

Erdogan also criticized the international community’s response, saying, “Some countries are complicit in the crimes by offering unconditional support to Israel. No deterrent measures are being taken against the Netanyahu government. We must prevent Israel from escalating tensions in our region. Murderers belong in the courtroom.”

Win-win approach with Egypt

Egyptian President el-Sissi remarked, “My visit to Türkiye paves the way for a new phase in economic and trade relations. We have seen increased communication between our two nations in recent years.”

President Erdogan added, “Türkiye will advance the multidimensional relations with Egypt using a win-win approach.”