CAIRO – 13 April 2023: Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said he had talks with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu on a wide range of issues topped by means of enhancing bilateral relations at the political, economic and cultural levels.
During a joint news conference with Cavusoglu following an expanded session of talks held Thursday between the delegations of Egypt and Turkey at the premises of the Turkish Foreign Ministry, he added the two sides also discussed removing all obstacles hampering the development of relations.
The Egyptian top diplomat underlined the desire of both countries to broaden and foster their cooperation and strengthen the traditional historical bonds between them for the benefit of their peoples and the whole region.
He thanked Cavusoglu for the warm reception accorded to him and his accompanying delegation, noting that the increase in the frequency of bilateral meetings shows the concordance of views and harmony between both sides and the joint strong political will to elevate relations in all domains.
He extended his greetings to the Turkish people on the occasion of the beginning of the last ten days of the holy fasting month of Ramadan and the fast approach of Eid al-Fitr, wishing this blessed occasion to bring happiness, peace, prosperity and goodness to the two countries.
Shoukry said "we've agreed to continue this rapid pace of communication with the aim of gaining its benefit through defining specific results that lead to more understanding and agreement on the steps that we are required to take."
"We've also agreed on a specific time frame to be crystalized as regards upgrading the level of diplomatic relations. This will be announced at the right time within the framework of preparing for holding a summit featuring the two leaders to culminate the path that we have started years ago, which has taken shape during the past one and a half months that will be a new start for this bilateral relationship," he added.
"Within the context of regional conditions, we've held in-depth and transparent talks about the Palestinian issue and the need to take joint action within the framework of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and our bilateral coordination," he said, pointing out that he briefed his Turkish counterpart on the efforts exerted by Egypt to contain the recent escalation, stressing the need for Israel to respect the sanctity of the Al Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest site in Islam, respect freedom of worship and respect the status quo as regards the Al Aqsa Mosque.
Efforts should be intensified to prevent unilateral actions related to the assault on Palestinian rights and property, such as demolishing homes, appropriating lands and the security intervention in areas under the control of the Palestinian National Authority and allowing the authority to assume its full responsibility, he said, stressing that such unilateral actions would only aggravate tension and complexity.
Egypt is working to ease this tension and provide the appropriate conditions to achieve the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and resume the political process to end the conflict on the principle of the two-state solution, he added.
"Through consultations, coordination and contacts with the active international partners, we will have an audible voice in this context to guarantee the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people," he stressed, noting that coordination between Egypt and Turkey will have its impact and influence in achieving this interest.
Regarding Libya, Shoukry said that there is a common wish to have the Libyan institutions fulfill their responsibilities, to hold fair elections that lead to assuming the responsibility, a government that expresses the will of the Libyan people and is capable at the same time to protect the unity and integrity of the Libyan territories and the Libyan assets and potentials for the best interest of the brotherly Libyan people.
"We also discussed the developments in Syria, and I informed the Turkish Foreign Minister of the recent contacts that have taken place between Egypt and the Syrian government, the reception of the Syrian Foreign Minister in Egypt and the importance of emphasizing the need to safeguard Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity with the absence of foreign forces on its territories.
The two sides also probed dealing with the issue of terrorism with the need for the Syrian government to fulfill all its commitments to Security Council Resolution no. 2254, he said, stressing the need for a political approach that includes all partners which leads to removing impurities of the past, taking the initiative for a brighter future, building confidence for the return home of Syrian refugees and moving forward with the UN envoy on the constitutional track with the aim to restore Syria's sovereignty and independence.
"We have a homogeneous vision with a lot of consensus on the rest of the regional issues. We believe that we have a fertile and suitable ground for contacts to result in joint action that would benefit our countries, our peoples, and the entire region," he said
Asked on Egypt-Turkey presidential summit and its schedule, Shoukry said he agreed with his Turkish counterpart on its specific track and timetable as well as the proper time for taking such an important step.
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