In a significant diplomatic development, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi visited Turkey on September 4, 2024, marking his first official visit to the country since taking office. The visit, in response to an invitation from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, signifies a new chapter in strengthening relations between the two nations.During their meetings, both leaders emphasized the importance of cooperation in addressing regional crises, particularly the ongoing conflict in Gaza. El-Sisi stated, ‘We decided to work together with Turkey, especially on regional issues, to overcome humanitarian crises’. The two presidents called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, an end to Israeli violations in the West Bank, and the establishment of a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders with its capital in East Jerusalem.The visit resulted in several concrete outcomes. El-Sisi and Erdogan signed multiple memoranda of understanding on cooperation in various fields and chaired the first meeting of the Strategic Cooperation Council between Egypt and Turkey. Notably, Erdogan announced an ambitious goal to increase bilateral trade to $15 billion annually over the next five years.Both leaders also addressed other regional issues. They agreed to cooperate in achieving stability in Libya and preserving its sovereignty. Additionally, they discussed the Syrian crisis and the situation in Sudan, emphasizing the importance of maintaining unity and sovereignty in these countries.This diplomatic engagement between Egypt and Turkey is seen as a crucial step in reshaping regional dynamics. As Ambassador Ahmed Fathi, the official spokesperson for the Egyptian Presidency, noted, the visit establishes ‘a new phase of friendship and cooperation between the two countries, whether bilaterally or at the regional level’.
Key points
- Egyptian President el-Sisi’s visit to Turkey marks a new phase in strengthening bilateral relations.
- Both countries agreed to cooperate on regional issues, particularly the Gaza conflict, calling for an immediate ceasefire.
- Turkey and Egypt aim to increase bilateral trade to $15 billion annually over the next five years.
- The leaders signed multiple memoranda of understanding and established a Strategic Cooperation Council.
