Egypt, Turkey share goal of supporting Middle East stability: Cairo

CAIRO – 5 July 2023: Egypt and Turkey agree on the common goal of supporting peace and stability in the region, Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid has affirmed.

In remarks to Asharq News on Wednesday, Abu Zeid affirmed that stability in the Middle East region is in the interest of both countries.

hailed the Egyptian-Turkish decision on Tuesday to upgrade the two countries’ diplomatic relations to the level of appointing ambassadors.

He added that presence of diplomatic representation between Egypt and Turkey would facilitate their communication and consultations to coordinate on regional issues of concern to both countries.

Egyptian-Turkish consultations over the past period have covered the Libyan and Syrian files as well as the Muslim Brotherhood topic, Abu Zeid explained.

Libya, Syria stability

He added that Egypt and Turkey have agreed on supporting peace and stability in Libya and Syria and highlighted the need to totally resolve the Syrian crisis permanently.

Egypt and Turkey have agreed on the need to hold the Libyan elections in a way that leads to the formation of an elected and legitimate government, Abu Zeid said, affirming that this matter is in the joint interest of both countries.

Egypt has a fixed and clear stance with regard to Libya, represented in the need to avoid foreign interference in the Libyan affairs, ensure the exit of foreign troops from Libya and hold elections as soon as possible, Abu Zeid stressed.

Muslim Brotherhood

Concerning the Muslim Brotherhood file, Abu Zeid said the Egyptian officials have stressed to the Turkish side Egypt’s unwavering stance with regard to the necessity of respecting good neighborliness and non-interference in the Egyptian domestic affairs.

“The Turkish side has shown respect to these principles and there has been an agreement on the necessity to respect [the principle] of non-interference in the Egyptian domestic affairs,” Abu Zeid stated.

He added that whoever observes the Turkish stances over the past period would realize that there has been abstention from any former practices of interference in the Egyptian domestic affairs.

Boosting economic relations

Abu Zeid said Egypt and Turkey are keen to boost their economic and trade relations, which have been at a good level over the past period despite the strained diplomatic relations.

Egypt expects the volume of trade exchange between Egypt and Turkey and the Turkish investments in Egypt to increase, Abu Zeid added.