Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi held a joint press conference on Wednesday following a high-level meeting at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, signaling a significant step forward in the relationship between the two nations.

Both leaders emphasized their commitment to enhancing cooperation in key areas such as trade, energy, and regional diplomacy, while delivering strong criticism of Israel's ongoing genocide in Gaza.

Erdoğan warmly welcomed Sisi, expressing his pleasure at the visit and recalling his own visit to Cairo in February as a turning point in Turkish-Egyptian relations. “We have maintained close consultations on regional issues since then,” Erdoğan said, noting the growing collaboration between the two nations.

Türkiye and Egypt Forge Strategic Ties

During the talks, Erdoğan and Sisi co-chaired the first meeting of the restructured High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, a mechanism intended to strengthen bilateral ties across a range of sectors, including industry, defense, healthcare, energy, and the environment. Both leaders expressed confidence in increasing the trade volume between Türkiye and Egypt to $15 billion over the next five years, with Erdoğan highlighting the contributions of Turkish businesses, which have already invested nearly $3 billion in Egypt.

Cooperation in Energy and Tourism

Erdoğan also underscored Türkiye’s desire to collaborate with Egypt in the energy sector, with a focus on natural gas and nuclear energy. He noted the growing cultural and social ties between the two nations and expressed optimism about boosting tourism in the coming years.

Joint Stance on Gaza Crisis and Israeli Aggression

A key focus of the talks was the ongoing Israeli military offensive in Gaza, which both leaders strongly condemned. Erdoğan criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s accusations against Egypt regarding the Philadelphi Corridor, rejecting them as false. He praised Egypt’s role in mediating ceasefire efforts in Gaza alongside Qatar and the United States and reaffirmed Türkiye's support for the peace process through diplomatic channels.

“Israel and its backers are responsible for every innocent person who dies from hunger, thirst, or lack of medicine,” Erdoğan said, accusing the Israeli administration of committing crimes by blocking humanitarian aid to Gaza. He reiterated Türkiye’s position on holding Israeli officials accountable for the deaths of 41,000 Palestinians, stressing the importance of international legal action.

International Accountability and Call for Justice

Erdoğan also highlighted Türkiye’s official intervention in the genocide case against Israel, submitted to the International Court of Justice by South Africa. He urged the international community to take action, condemning the unconditional support some countries provide to Israel, which he described as contributing to regional instability.

“Some countries unfortunately become an accomplice in the crimes by supporting Israel unconditionally,” Erdoğan remarked, urging global powers to stop enabling Israel’s policies.

Regional Diplomacy and Future Cooperation

The two leaders also discussed a wide range of regional issues, including the situations in Syria, Libya, Sudan, and the Eastern Mediterranean. Erdoğan emphasized the alignment of Turkish and Egyptian goals in these areas, promising closer cooperation in the future. He concluded by thanking Sisi and his delegation for the visit, expressing hope for continued progress in Turkish-Egyptian relations.

The visit marks a significant moment in Türkiye and Egypt’s diplomatic relations, signaling a commitment to advancing cooperation on multiple fronts while maintaining a united stance on critical regional issues, particularly the Palestinian cause. (ILKHA)