Sisi: Egypt, Turkey open ‘new chapter’ of enriching bilateral relations

CAIRO – 14 February 2024: Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi welcomed his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is making his first official visit to Egypt in more than a decade to augment the relations between both countries.

In a press conference at Al-Ittihadiya Palace in Cairo on Wednesday, Sisi stressed that Egypt and Turkey are “opening together a new chapter” to enrich their bilateral ties and set them on the right track.

“I affirm our pride and appreciation for the historical relationship with Turkey and the shared cultural and civilizational heritage between us,” Sisi stated.

The Egyptian president noted that he has received an invitation from President Erdogan to visit Turkey next April to continue the efforts made to improve the relations of the two countries in various fields.

Coordination on Gaza

Sisi expressed his pride in the level of cooperation between Egypt and Turkey for the rapid access of the largest possible amount of humanitarian aid to people in Gaza amid Israeli restrictions.

Sisi affirmed that these restrictions imposed by the Israeli authorities on the entry of humanitarian aid to Gaza cause aid trucks to enter at a slow pace that is not commensurate with the needs of the Strip.

Moreover, Sisi said he agreed with Erdogan on the need to implement an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and achieve calm in the West Bank to resume the peace process as soon as possible.

He affirmed that the resumption of the peace process should lead to the declaration of a sovereign Palestinian state on the borders of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital in accordance with the relevant international resolutions.

On his part, Erdogan thanked the Egyptian Red Crescent for its role in delivering aid to Gaza Strip.

Erdogan stressed Turkey’s opposition to the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza Strip and rejection to extending the massacres to Palestine’s Rafah.

 

Achieving Libyan stability

During the press conference, Sisi said he agreed with Erdogan on the need to strengthen consultation between Egypt and Turkey on the Libya file to help in holding presidential and legislative elections and unify Libya’s military institution.

“We expect our success in achieving political and security stability in Libya to represent a model to emulate,” Sisi stated.

He added that the countries of the region are better able to understand the complexities of the Libyan file and ways to resolve the existing disputes therein.

The Turkish president, for his part, stated that he had discussed with Sisi the crises of Libya, Somalia and Sudan as well as global affairs of mutual concern.

Boosting trade

Regarding economic relations, Sisi stated that Egypt and Turkey together seek to increase their trade exchange to $15 billion over the next few years, boost joint investments, and open new areas of cooperation.

“Egypt is currently Turkey's top trading partner in Africa, and Turkey is one of the most important destinations for Egyptian exports,” the Egyptian president emphasized.

Trade between Egypt and Turkey reached approximately $5.875 billion in 2023, according to data from the Egyptian Ministry of Trade and Industry.

 

Enhancing regional cooperation

Sisi welcomed the current calm in the Eastern Mediterranean region, saying he looks forward to building on it to resolve the existing differences between the riparian countries in the region.

“This will enable all of us to cooperate and make the most of the natural resources available there,” Sisi stated.

Sisi said he and Erdogan also stressed their common interest in cooperating in Africa, supporting the continent’s development efforts, and achieving stability and prosperity.