President Abdel Fattah El Sisi on Wednesday received Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the al-Ittihadia Presidential Palace, where the two leaders held extensive talks aimed at enhancing political coordination and broadening co-operation across a wide range of priority sectors.
The discussions took place within the framework of the 2nd meeting of the Egypt-Türkiye High-Level Strategic Co-operation Council and reflected the mutual commitment of both sides to advancing bilateral relations and opening new horizons for partnership.
Following the meeting, President Sisi and President Erdoğan signed a joint statement marking a new phase in relations between the two countries and underscoring their shared determination to elevate cooperation to higher strategic levels.
In the joint statement, both sides reaffirmed the central role of the Joint Planning Group as the primary mechanism for coordinating bilateral relations. They welcomed the outcomes of its most recent meeting and stressed the importance of regular follow-up to ensure effective implementation and tangible results.
Egypt and Türkiye welcomed the signing of several memoranda of understanding in key areas, including defence co-operation, investment, trade, agriculture, health, youth and sports, and social protection. The two leaders affirmed that these agreements reflect a shared political will to advance relations toward a comprehensive strategic partnership.
The statement highlighted the notable growth in bilateral trade, which has approached $9 billion. Both sides reaffirmed their common goal of raising trade volume to $15 billion by 2028 through deeper economic and commercial co-operation.
The two presidents emphasised the importance of a supportive investment climate in both countries to achieve sustainable and balanced economic relations. They encouraged exchanges of business delegations, the organisation of trade fairs, and the convening of investment forums to expand cooperation and generate new opportunities.
In this context, they welcomed the establishment of a national committee to support and follow up on Turkish investments in Egypt.
Industrial co-operation featured prominently in the discussions, with the two sides agreeing on expanding joint manufacturing in priority sectors, promoting technology transfer on mutually agreed terms, and supporting industrial partnerships, including joint industrial zones and projects targeting regional and global markets. They also committed to enhancing co-operation in innovation, capacity building, and training.
Energy co-operation was another key topic of the talks. Egypt and Türkiye agreed to strengthen collaboration in electricity and renewable energy under the MoU signed in September 2024, and to coordinate joint working groups in conventional energy, renewable energy, green hydrogen, and nuclear energy.
The statement also underscored co-operation in civil aviation as a strategic driver for trade, tourism, investment, and people-to-people ties.
On regional issues, Egypt and Türkiye reaffirmed support for a Libyan-led and UN-facilitated political process that preserves Libya’s unity, sovereignty, and stability.
They also expressed support for Lebanon’s state institutions and stressed that a sustainable solution lies in the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
Regarding Palestine, the two leaders reaffirmed support for efforts to end the war in Gaza, ensure Israel’s full withdrawal, and enable the Palestinian Authority to assume its responsibilities following necessary reforms.
They stressed the urgency of delivering humanitarian aid, reopening the Rafah crossing in both directions, launching early recovery and reconstruction efforts, and advancing a political process leading to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The statement also reaffirmed support for Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, condemned ongoing Israeli violations, and emphasised the need for a comprehensive Syrian-led political process.
The two sides voiced deep concern over the conflict in Sudan, calling for a humanitarian ceasefire, an inclusive national dialogue, and unhindered humanitarian access.
Egypt and Türkiye further stressed the importance of stability in the Sahel, the Horn of Africa, the Red Sea, and the Nile Basin, reaffirming their commitment to sovereignty, regional security, counterterrorism efforts, and sustainable development.
At the end of the meeting, both sides agreed to hold the next meeting of the High-Level Strategic Co-operation Council in 2028 in Ankara.
