Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs to visit Syria, Turkey Monday

CAIRO – 26 February 2023: Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shokry is visiting Monday morning Syria and Turkey to express solidarity with the two states and their peoples over the destruction caused by the February 6 earthquake.

The minister will also affirm Egypt's constant distance to provide assistance and aid to those affected by the disaster, the press statement highlighted.

Egyptian ship loaded with hundreds of tons of relief materials departed Al-Arish port Friday, per president Abdel Fattah al Sisi directives heading to Turkey and Syria.

The aid ship comes as part of the Egyptian efforts to help deal with the consequences of devastating earthquake that hit southern Turkey and Syria on Feb. 16, leaving more than 48,000 people dead.

On Thursday, Egypt sent two military planes carrying medical and humanitarian aid to Turkey for the victims of the deadly 7.8-and-7.4 magnitude earthquakes.

Two military planes took off from East Cairo Air Base, heading to Turkey, carrying large quantities medicines and medical supplies provided by the Egyptian Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Health and Population, the Ministry of Defense announced in a statement.

Meanwhile, an Egyptian ship of the naval forces carrying humanitarian aid has arrived to both Turkey and Syria, in accordance with directives given by President Abdel Fattah El Sisi.

Earlier in February, the president ordered dispatching five military planes to deliver urgent medical relief supplies to earthquake-hit Syria and Turkey. In the former, Egypt also sent the first international team providing support to the Turkey-Syria earthquake victims.

Further, an Egyptian ship loaded with about 500 tons of relief materials arrived in Syria's Lattakia Port on Monday to help deal with earthquake effects and support relief efforts. The cargo was intended to the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC).